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Boeing submits proposals to Indian Air Force for AH-64D Apache, CH-47F Chinook choppers

By Amarendra Bhushan for CEOWORLD Magazine Updated:October 23, 2009

Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) has submitted two proposals to the Indian Air Force, offering the AH-64D Apache and the CH-47F Chinook in a deal potentially worth $2 billion, Boeing’s country head and Indian officials said on Friday.

India invited bids in May for 22 attack helicopters and at least 15 heavy-lift helicopters as it plans to replace its ageing Soviet-era fleet with modern weapon systems.

The company has already signed a $2.1 billion contract for supplying eight P-8I warfare planes to the Indian Navy.

The Indian government says it will prioritise defence and push forward pending projects to modernise its armed forces especially after the Mumbai attacks in November revealed security loopholes.

It is looking to spend more than $30 billion over the next five years to modernise its defence systems.

AH-64A/D Apache Attack Helicopter

The multi-mission AH-64D Apache Longbow is the next-generation version of original AH-64A Apache. With its fire-control radar, the aircraft is known as the AH-64D Apache Longbow. Without the radar, the combat-proven aircraft is called the AH-64D Apache.

The combat-proven AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow share the following history and characteristics:

Testing in the late 1990s, delivery in 1997, in production for the U.S. Army and several international customers
Selection by the U.S. Army, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom (as the AH Mk1)
Ability to assimilate advancements in digital connectivity, sensors, weapon systems, advanced training devices, and maintenance support systems

The US Army has more than 800 Apaches in service, and more than 1,000 have been exported. The Apache was first used in combat in 1989 in the US military action in Panama. It was used in Operation Desert Storm and has supported low intensity and peacekeeping operations worldwide including Turkey, Bosnia and Kosovo.

The aircraft is powered by a pair of uprated T700-GE-701C engines, and has a fully-integrated cockpit. The forward fuselage of the aircraft was expanded to accommodate new systems. In addition, the aircraft receives improved survivability, communications, and navigation capabilities. Most existing capabilities of the AH-64A Apache are retained.

The first of the upgraded Block II Apaches was delivered to the US Army in February 2003. Block II includes upgrades to the digital communications systems to improve communications within the ‘tactical internet’.

Block III improvements, slated for 2008 onwards, include increasing digitization, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs, new composite rotor blade and landing gear upgrades. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, increase the Apache’s cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability. The Block III System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract was awarded to Boeing in July 2006.

CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopter

The CH-47 Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift transport helicopter in service with the US Army and other Armed Forces worldwide. It is enabled to transport ground forces, supplies, ammunition, and other battle-critical cargo. In addition, the CH-47 Chinook can be employed for medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, fire fighting, parachute drops, heavy construction, civil development, disaster relief and search and rescue.

The CH-47F is an upgraded model of proven CH-47D Chinook helicopter. The new Chinook model features reduced vibration effects, an integrated cockpit control system, and more powerful T55-GA-714A engines fitted with digital fuel control. Each engine is rated at 4,868 horsepower (shp).

The US Army plans to upgrade up to 300 existing CH-47Ds to the F configuration with the first delivery due in 2004. Entry into service is expected in 2006. The CH-47Fs will remain in service well beyond 2030. They should start enter retirement beginning in 2035.

As of January 2005, the latest US Army’s acquisition plan approved the increase of the Chinook fleet from 463 to 513 aircraft. The plan included upgrade of the entire fleet of 397 CH-47Ds to the F-model configuration and acquisition of at least 55 additional new-build CH-47Fs. The US Special Operations Command will increase their current fleet of 34 MH-47D/E special operations heavy assault Chinooks to 61 MH-47Gs, with options on further aircraft.

As of April 2008, overall value of the CH-47F program was set at $13.35 billion for approximately 513 helicopters. The first production CH-47F helicopter was unveiled by Boeing in June 2006.

Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 33

Dimensions: Height 5.5 m, Length 30.2 m, Main Rotor Diameter 18.3 m, Width 3.6 m

Weights: Max Weight 22,680 kg (50,000 lb), Min Weight 10,615 kg (23,402 lb), Payload 21,000 lb (9,526 kg)

Performance: Cruise Speed 74 mps (265 kph), Radius of Operation 400 nautical mile (), Top Speed 175 mph (282 kph)

Power: Power 9,466 hp

Other: Main Rotor Blades 3, Number of Engines 2

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