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AAC AH-64E Arrives in the UK

ZM704 and ZM705 looking rather smart were seen leaving Brize Norton by road today. One assumes that they must have arrived by C-17 in the last few days.

To Boscombe or Wattisham?

I assume the first four AH2s ZM700-703 are still at Fort Rucker?

In 2018 the plan was to have 10 AH2/Es by the end of 2020 with the AH1/Ds reduced to 35 and 22 v 21 by the end of 2021. Would be interesting to know if this is likely to get back on track - last I heard the schedule had slipped by 6 months which would explain first deliveries in late November.

Also when are the three crew trainers are scheduled for delivery? (if they haven't already been). I assume to ATIL?

The 2020 total accounts for all/most of the stored airframes which were RTP for components for the remanufactured element of the new airframes - I think I read 70% somewhere. The AAC goes environmental - reduce, reuse, recylcic, (Hat, coat etc...)

At least one Longbow Crew Trainer has been delivered. ATIL no longer exists, BDUK now provide the training.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEDP (Post 10935261)

At least one Longbow Crew Trainer has been delivered. ATIL no longer exists, BDUK now provide the training.

Thanks, Boeing should update their website as they still refer to ATIL as their wholly owned subsidiary providing the Attack Helicopter Training Service. I assume having bought out Leonardo the name is superfluous.

Keep taking the pills.....

Seems a bit of a faff to deliver to Brize and then road transport to Wattisham. Anyone any idea why they weren't flown directly into Wattisham?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not_a_boffin (Post 10937962)

Seems a bit of a faff to deliver to Brize and then road transport to Wattisham. Anyone any idea why they weren't flown directly into Wattisham?

Red Book entry states: No take-off, landing or touch-and-go by fast jet or heavylift (eg C17, AN24 etc).

Would appear the r/w is past its best.

Quote:

Would appear the r/w is past its best.

It hasn't been properly looked after for many years and ISTR the taxiway clearances aren't wide enough for heavylift now.

Did we get a discount because they were only part-assembled?

We didn't get a discount when the first D-model ones were flown in to Middle Wallop from Yeovil and the MFDs removed from them, put in a car and driven back to Yeovil for a repeat trip. They were classed as delivered, contract met, money paid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not_a_boffin (Post 10937962)

Seems a bit of a faff to deliver to Brize and then road transport to Wattisham. Anyone any idea why they weren't flown directly into Wattisham?

Same thought occured to me but suspected it was as runway was now unsuitable. I then wondered why not via Mildenhall and A11 + A14 or would that be too complicated?

*Thread Drift Alert*

This reminded me of being held up trying to get out of Cemetery Hill in Odiham on the way to work in 2018. Only to find something larger was also avoiding the road works. Again wondering - as I believe it was on it's way to Mali - why a C-17 hadn't come to take it. I know a C-17 brought one to Odiham in April this year (see below).

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....8521f78c4a.jpg
Source @GHRBerksHants via RAF Odiham Twitter

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5733ee2588.jpg
Source RAF Odiham Twitter

23 October 2023 "The first regiment flying the British Army’s new Apache AH-64E attack helicopter has been declared ready for frontline duty." Is this a long winded way of declaring IOC achieved?

https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-eve...tlefield-test/

I guess this isn't IOC as it only relates to one operating regiment, rather than the capability as a whole.

Are they still as slow or have they done something to get them to fly faster?

Lots of things towed up to Odiham, a Puma from Micheldever to Odiham, using a tow bar and a Landrover is one I remember.. :)

It does seem strange not to assemble and fly them from Brize, after all there will be more coming. The Chinny's were done at the docks before flying to Odiham, and bar the odd bit falling off, it was successful (forward port emergency cabin window assy, over I think Southampton)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevvron (Post 11527906)

Are they still as slow or have they done something to get them to fly faster?

yes, they operate them from the back of a C-17 :p

Quote:

AH-64E will deliver a significant enhancement to the UK's 1st Aviation Brigade

New engines, drivetrain, main rotor blades and avionics will deliver a significant boost in aircraft performance. Embedded system-level diagnostics will increase aircraft availability. Extended range Fire Control Radar with maritime mode will ensure the aircraft can operate in the maritime environment. Link 16, Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe and, in time, Manned-Unmanned Teaming bring theatre entry-standard equipment fits and vastly increase crew battle-space awareness. The UK has strived to make the aircraft best value for money by utilising a large amount of parts from the Apache Mark 1, which reduces production costs and aims to be more environmentally sustainable. Plus, the new aircraft will be easier to maintain and more reliable, so that it will be more straightforward to sustain in any operational environment.

Note the picture of the offloading at Brize is covered by an ambiguous caption making it sound like they were delivered direct and not by truck, though later pics show them loaded, never seen a flying station before..

Quote:

The first two new Apache Attack Helicopters (AH-64E variant) have been delivered to the British Army from the US Government. They arrived at Wattisham Flying Station on 26 Nov 20 with Aviation Technicians from 7 Aviation Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (7 Avn Spt Bn REME), who will maintain and service the new aircraft.

https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-eve...he-helicopter/