UK To Remanufacture their 'Apaches' to AH-64E Version

The United Kingdom has requested the remanufacture of fifty WAH-64 Mk 1 Attack Helicopters to AH-64E Apache Guardian Helicopters with one hundred and ten (110) T-700-GE-701D Engines (100 installed and 10 spares), the refurbishment of fifty-three (53) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (M-TADS) (50 installed and 3 spares), the refurbishment of fifty-three (53) AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVS) (50 installed and 3 spares), the refurbishment of fifty-two (52) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) (50 installed and 2 spares) with fifty-five (55) Radar Electronics Units (Longbow Component) (50 installed and 5 spares), fifty-two (52) AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (50 installed and 2 spares), sixty (60) AAR-57(V) 3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser (50 installed and 10 spares), one hundred and twenty (120) Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with Inertial Navigation (100 installed and 20 spares), and three hundred (300) Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets.
dsca

UK To Acquire Missile Warning System for Helos, Fixed-Wing Craft

Britain is buying a BAE Systems third-generation (Gen 3) common missile warning system (CMWS) that helps protect helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft against small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, as well as missiles.
The military will replace some second-generation systems and outfit new aircraft. Platforms, including Apache, Chinook, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, will receive the equipment.
The contract will ensure armed forces will have around 300 systems in total. The system would be used predominantly on rotor-wing aircraft, but one fixed-wing platform would also be outfitted.
Small arms and rocket-propelled grenades have been a constant threat to air crews in Afghanistan.
defensenews

British military flying in Germany ends after 68 years

British military flying in Germany has ended after 68 years with a ceremonial fly-past of the last Lynx helicopters on Friday.
The withdrawal of the remaining choppers is part of a sharp reduction of Britain’s 20,000-strong military presence in Germany. In March was that all British troops would be withdrawn from their bases in Germany by 2020. 15,000 servicemembers will be pulled out in the next three years.
The last three Lynx helicopters of the 1st Regiment Army Air Corps based in Germany left their base at Gütersloh on Friday.
At the height of the Cold War, the Royal Air Force had hundreds of aircraft — including several squadrons of nuclear bombers — in West Germany, and operated dozens of air bases throughout the country.
stripes.com

Royal Navy Wildcat makes flight debut

The UK Ministry of Defence has released images showing the first flight of a production example of the Royal Navy's new AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 helicopter.

Performed from the airframer's Yeovil production site in Somerset, the milestone was reached by aircraft ZZ397, which was previously due to have been accepted by the navy in mid-December 2012.

AgustaWestland will produce 28 Wildcats for the RN and 34 for the British Army under a programme worth more than £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion), with the type to enter use with the services in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The manufacturer will also deliver training and support services under a £250 million agreement signed during 2012.

Also being marketed to potential international customers as the AW159, the Wildcat won its first export competition in January 2013, when the South Korean navy selected the type for an initial eight-aircraft requirement. A contract signature for the roughly $560 million deal is expected soon, with deliveries sought from 2015.

British Army's fleet of Apache helicopters 'could be scrapped' by 2017

Britain’s Apache gunships have been in use since 2001, seeing action in Afghanistan -and in Libya.
Despite the helicopters’ successes on the frontline, defence sources suggested that the Army Air Corps fleet of 66 Apaches could eventually be cut to around 50 aircraft fit for operations.
Britain’s American-made AH-64D helicopters face becoming redundant because the US has decided to stop using the AH-64D model and adopt a newer variant, the AH-64E.
That means essential technical support for the British Apache fleet will be withdrawn from 2017.

telegraph

AH-64D embarcan en el HMS Ark Royal/ Army Apaches all at sea on Ark Royal

Un destacamento de helicópteros de ataque Apache del Army Air Corps, han embarcado en el buque insignia de la Royal Navy, el HMS Ark Royal para participar en las maniobras Joint Warrior.
Los Apache son utilizados para operaciones en tierra, pero en las próximas semanas, las tripulaciones se entrenarán en operaciones marítimas y en interoperabilidad con la Royal Navy.
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A detachment of Apache attack helicopters have landed on board the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship HMS Ark Royal to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior in October.
Apaches are used extensively by the Army Air Corps in land operations but over the next few weeks they will train to broaden their sea experience and capability with the Royal Navy.
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PRIMEROS LYNX MK9 MODERNIZADOS/FIRST LYNX UPDATED LYNX MK9 RE-ENTERS IN SERVICE

Los 4 primeros helicópteros Lynx Mk9 modernizados han re-entrado en servicio, 3 de ellos están siendo usados para entrenamiento, antes de su despliegue a Afganistan, en el 9 Regiment Army Air Corps en Dishforth, North Yorkshire
Las mejoras en los 12 primeros 12 Mk9, fueron ordenadas por el Ministerio de Defensa hace un año.
El Mk9 lleva un nuevo motor, con mas potencia para operar en el clima extremo de Afganistán, el mismo que dotará al Lynx Wildcat previsto en 2014, además de mejorar la capacidad de carga en 1 tonelada. Otras mejoras son nuevo cockpit digitalizado, y nueva estructura para acomodar al nuevo motor. El resto de helicópteros hasta doce se entregarán este año, procedentes de la factoría de AgustaWestland en Yeovil, Somerset.
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The first four upgraded Lynx Mk9 helicopters, which are to be sent to Afghanistan, have re-entered service, with three of the aircraft now being used for training, prior to deployment, at 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Dishforth, North Yorkshire
The upgrades on initially twelve Mk9s were ordered by the MOD a year ago, with upgrades on the remaining ten aircraft likely to follow.
The Mk9a benefits from a considerably more powerful engine that enables operation in the challenging hot and high conditions of Afghanistan and the same engine is also being fitted to the new Lynx Wildcat which is expected to be delivered to the military from 2014.Lift capacity in the Mk9a is increased by 1 tonne over the earlier version.
Other improvements include an updated instrument panel and digital displays and a modified gearbox and rear structure to accommodate the new powerplant. The remainder of the twelve helicopters will be delivered over this next year from AgustaWestland's factory at Yeovil, Somerset.
Their role will include fire support, troop transport and casualty evacuation.