Rotary Wing

AIRCRAFT

The AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter was retired from the Army fleet in September 2001. Currently the inventory of airframes is being divested by a variety of methods that will make their final disposition most cost-effective to the Army. These methods include: harvesting parts to support U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force rotorcraft programs; transfer to other federal agencies for training devices; sales to foreign allied nations; and donations to qualified organizations for display/demonstration. Final demilitarization and disposal must be accomplished by September 30, 2006.

The Army's 2000 Aviation Force Modernization Plan noted that these aircraft possess "inadequate flight performance, weapons and mission equipment to meet requirements and are becoming increasingly problematic from a maintenance and safety standpoint" and called for their retirement in September 2001.

The AH-6/MH-6 Little Bird (Cayuse) Helicopter is in service with the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR). Following service in Vietnam, the Army's fleet of OH-6 light observation and command helicopters (LOACH) was reassigned to Army National Guard units. With their excellent roll-on/roll-off mobility and extremely high power-to-weight ratios, however, the aircraft subsequently were tapped for special operations applications in 1980.

Capability upgrades include performance, avionics, navigation, communications, targeting, weapons and night operations. Although primarily equipped with the 7.62 mm minigun or Hydra 70 (2.75-inch) rocket system, the AH-6/MH-6 can accommodate a range of gun and rocket options.

The mission-enhanced Little Bird (MELB) program is a major modification to the existing AH-6/MH-6 fleet. The modification is packaged as a kit that replaces existing components on the aircraft. The new MELB aircraft will have a six-blade main rotor system, a four-blade tail rotor, an improved drive train and the AlIison 250-C30R3 full-authority, digital-engine control (FADEC). The MELB also incorporates an improved landing gear, crashworthy fuel cells, enlarged rear doors and external extended-range fuel tanks. The MELB modifications will change the look and performance of the AH-6/MH-6 aircraft.

The MELB program aims to increase the performance and safety margins of the existing Little Bird aircraft. The modifications increase the maximum gross weight of the aircraft to 4,700 pounds; improve the high/hot performance capabilities of the aircraft; and move the extended-range fuel tanks from inside the cabin area, thereby increasing the cabin space available to the supported ground commander. In addition, there is a concurrent program to improve the weapon management system for the AH configuration. The MELB program boosts the performance and extends the life of the AH-6/MH-6 aircraft.

The AH-64A Apache Helicopter provides day, night and adverse weather attack helicopter capability. The Apache is the Army's primary attack helicopter. It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight both close and deep to destroy, disrupt or delay enemy forces. The Apache first entered service inventories in 1984.

The aircraft is designed to fight and survive throughout the world. It is equipped with a target acquisition designation sight and a pilot night-vision sensor that permit its two-man crew to navigate and attack in darkness and adverse weather. The Apache's principal mission is to destroy high-value targets with the Hellfire missile. It also is capable of employing a 30 mm M230 chin-mounted automatic cannon and Hydra 70 rockets that are lethal against a variety of targets.

The Apache has a maximum speed of 145 knots. It has a maximum gross weight range of 240 nautical miles (A model) and 230 nautical miles (D model) with range extension capability utilizing internal and external tanks. The Apache has a full range of aircraft survivability equipment and the ability to withstand hits from rounds up to 23 millimeters in critical areas. Apache ordnance consists of the Hellfire Missile (RF/SAL versions), 2.75-inch rockets (all versions), and 30 mm HEI rounds.

As the heavy attack helicopter for the Current and Future Force, the Apache conducts rear, close and shaping precision missions including deep precision strikes. It conducts distributed operations, precision strikes against relocatable targets and provides armed reconnaissance when required in day, night, obscured battlefield and adverse weather conditions.

The AH-64D Longbow is a remanufacture program of the AH-64A, incorporating the fire-control radar (FCR), capable of being used day or night, in adverse weather and through battlefield obscurants. The AH-64D consists primarily of the integration of a mast-mounted millimeter-wave fire-control radar, a radar frequency interferometer and a radar frequency fire-and-forget Hellfire missile.

The Longbow's digitized target acquisition system provides automatic detection, location, classification, prioritization and target handover. The AH-64D cockpit is redesigned to digitize and multiplex all systems.

The manpower and personnel integration program (MANPRINT) crew stations have multifunction displays to reduce crew workload and increase effectiveness. The AH-64D provides a truly coordinated rapid-fire (16 separate targets within one minute) capability to the maneuver force commander on a 24-hour basis and in any conditions.

The AH-64D Longbow entered full-scale development in December 1990, following an extremely successful proof-of-principle (POP) phase. Technical success during the POP phase culminated with the live firing of missiles against a variety of moving and stationary targets, through smoke and other obscurants. The initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E), conducted from January through March 1995, proved the AH-64D Longbow to be an operationally effective, lethal and survivable weapon system. As expected, the AH-64D Longbow-with its ability to engage targets utilizing the FCR and RF missile in adverse weather and obscuration that would preclude the employment of laser-guided weapons-was far more effective in defeating threat armored vehicles and more survivable in the threat air defense environment than the AH-64A.

The AH-64D Longbow received milestone III production approval in October 1995. Single-year contracts for the airframe and fire-control radar were awarded in December 1995 and March 1996 respectively. The first multiyear (MY I) (base year with four-year options) contract (lots 1-5) for the airframe was signed on August 16, 1996. with the final 232nd airframe covered under that contract delivered in March 2002. The second multiyear (MY II) contract (lots 6-10) was signed in September 2001 and the 217 aircraft now being delivered include enhanced digitization/ communications capabilities for operations within the Tactical Internet.

MY II is funded through FY 2006, completing 501 Longbow production aircraft: 284 Block I (lots 1-6) aircraft with significant advances over legacy AH-64A aircraft; and 217 Block II (lots 7-10) aircraft with digital connectivity to the Tactical Internet and full digital situational awareness. The Army now has 11 Longbow battalions of 18 fielded through the Apache Material Fielding Team (AMFT) process at Fort Hood, Texas. The Apache's targeting and pilotage electro-optical system is being upgraded under the modernized target acquisition designation sight/ pilot night-vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) program started in October 2000 that will be applied to the fielded A and D model fleets. M-TADS/PNVS will allow Apache pilots to fly and fight in day, night and adverse weather with greater safety and significantly improved reliability. The "Arrowhead" team led by Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company will begin production of M-TADS/PNVS in 2004 with initial operational capability in 2005.

The AH-64D Longbow Block III program has gone through an Army review arid is being added to Army Transformation as the Future Force attack helicopter. This program will begin development in 2005 with a remanufacture start date in 2007. The Army will bring AH-64D Longbow lots 1-7 back through the remanufacture line to add survivability, sustainability and operational enhancements.

The mission of the Army's CH-47D Chinook Helicopter, a tandem-rotor heavylift helicopter, is to transport weapons, ammunition, equipment, troops and other cargo in general support of combat units and in operations other than war. The D model of the aircraft is the result of refurbishment and conversion from previous models. It has become the assault aircraft of choice in the high-altitude battlefields of Afghanistan during the global war on terrorism. In peacetime the aircraft provides critical disaster relief by supporting firefighting, rescue and supply distribution.

Ongoing modifications to the CH-47D fleet include a powerplant upgrade to T55-GA-714A engines, crash-worthy extended-range fuel system II (ERFS II), engine air particle separators (EAPS) and ALE-47 countermeasure dispensing system.

A special operations variant, the MH-47E, features added fuel capacity, an air-to-air refueling probe and specialized communications, navigation, avionics and night-vision subsystems. Current Army special operations inventories include 22 MH-47Es (plus 11 earlier model MH-47Ds).

The CH-47F Improved Cargo Helicopter (ICH) is an upgraded CH-47D that will extend the lifespan of the Vietnam-era aircraft by an additional 20 years. The program includes new machined airframe structures that will incorporate improvements to reliability and maintainability, and an enhanced air transportability modification to the aft pylon resulting in a 65 percent reduction in tear-down time for C-17 or C-5 loading. In addition, the CH-47F upgrade will incorporate the Special Operations-developed common avionics architecture system (CAAS) cockpit, significantly improving the capabilities and situational awareness of the aircrew. The CH-47F will provide the commander in the field with an aircraft that is more reliable, costs less to operate and is compatible with the emerging Future Force.

Current plans call for the remanufacture of all of the nearly 400 existing CH-47D Chinooks in the Army inventory and the manufacture of up to 52 new CH-47F Chinooks. Two CH-47F EMD aircraft have completed a rigorous flight test program and initial operational test in May 2004 at Fort Campbell, Ky. Low-rate production of remanufactured CH-47Fs is currently under way and full-rate production is scheduled to peak at 36 aircraft per year.

In addition to the CH-47F remanufacture and new build programs, the Special Operations Aviation Regiment's MH-47E and MH-47D Chinooks are undergoing upgrades to the MH-47G variant. The MH-47G incorporates the CAAS cockpit upgrade and a number of enhancements to further increase its operational capabilities. The roll-out of the first MH-47G occurred in May 2004 and production is currently under way on the same production line as the CH-47F.

As with the AH-I series attack helicopters, significant numbers of obsolete OH-58A/C Kiowa Helicopters have remained in Army inventories. Under the Army's 2000 Aviation Force Modernization Plan, Army planners outlined a transitional force as a first step toward an objective aviation force and as a means of accelerating retirement of legacy aircraft like the OH-58A/C. Under the plan and Army Transformation decisions, half of OH-58A/Cs would be retired from the force by FY 2005. Between FY 2006 and FY 2010, the legacy aircraft will be used predominantly by the National Guard in counterdrug and homeland defense missions.

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopter fills the armed-reconnaissance role for attack helicopter and air cavalry units. It is the only practical armed-reconnaissance aircraft in the Army inventory until the armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH) fielding begins in FY 2007. It is capable of performing reconnaissance, security, command and control, target acquisition/designation and defensive air combat missions.

The Kiowa Warrior adds armed reconnaissance, light-attack and multipurpose light helicopter (MPLH) capabilities that permit rapid deployment to the basic OH-58D Kiowa mission capabilities. The OH-58D has a mast-mounted sight that houses a thermal-imaging system, low-light television and a laser range finder/designator. A highly accurate navigation system permits precise target location that can be handed over to other engagement systems via the airborne target handover system. The laser designator can provide autonomous designation for the laser Hellfire missile or remote designation for other laser-guided precision weapons.

A safety enhancement program (SEP) began in 1997 to update a large portion of the Kiowa Warrior fleet with upgraded engines, improved master controller processor units (IMCPUs), crashworthy seats, cockpit air bags and a digitized mission equipment package. The SEP is retrofitting OH-SSDs to the latest configuration: Rolls Royce 250 C30R3 engines with full-authority, digital engine control (FADEC); single channel ground/air radio system (SINCGARS) improvement program; new processing systems to allow digital operations; an improved data modem (IDM); engine barrier filters (EBFs); crash-attenuating crew seats; and cockpit airbags. In addition, requirements for the digital battlefield continue to be incorporated to allow communication via the Tactical Internet. Participation in the April 2001 Division Capstone Exercise (DCX) first proved that the OH-58D can fight and communicate in the digital environment.

Kiowa Warriors will begin moving out of the force in 2007 as they are replaced by the ARH.

The TH-67 Creek Helicopter is the Army's primary platform for initial rotarywing training at the U.S. Army Aviation Center (USAAVNC). Based on a commercial Bell Jet Ranger design, the TH-67 replaced the OH-58C previously used for the training mission. The TH-67 comes in three variants: TH-67 VFR; TH-67 IFR; and TH-67A+. It has dual-control front seats for the instructor pilot and one student plus a rear seat for a second student. Because of insufficient quantities of TH-67s (current fleet size is 175 out of 185 required), a number of OH-58C Kiowas will continue to be used through FY 2006. Flight School XXI mission requirements will then be executed using flight simulators and the total fill of TH-67 aircraft.

The UH-1H/V Huey (Iroquois) Helicopter, more commonly referred to as "Huey," remains in Army service for training, medical evacuation and light utility missions. The Department of the Army originally scheduled the UH-I retirement for the end of FY 2004. Because of the nonavailability of replacement aircraft, the Army will delay the retirement until FY 2008. Under the current Army Campaign Plan, the Army will maintain approximately 147 UH-Is until replaced with a new commercial offthe-shelf aircraft.

The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter was being developed as the Army's next-generation helicopter designed to perform close combat, vertical maneuver and mobile strike operations. The program was cancelled in February 2004.

The UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter is the Army's assault and utility helicopter. Three major variants exist. The UH or utility version of the helicopter provides general air assault and utility support. The MH version supports Special Forces roles and missions including a gunship variant identified as the MH-60 direct action penetrator (DAP). While the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission is conducted currently on UH-60A model aircraft outfitted with mission kits, future MEDEVAC Black Hawks will have medical equipment integrated into the aircraft and will be designated HH series aircraft. As of April the Army's inventory of Black Hawks numbers 1,575 aircraft of all variants.

The Black Hawk is the primary helicopter for air assault, general support and aeromedical evacuation units. It has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army through its dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo-lift capability over the UH-IH Huey, which it replaced. An entire fully equipped, 11-man infantry squad can be lifted in one aircraft, faster and in more inclement weather conditions than in the Jluey, allowing ground commanders to quickly shift forces to increase battlefield operational tempo to overmatch the enemy's. The Black Hawk can also reposition a 105 mm howitzer, its crew of six and up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift, allowing the rapid massing of overwhelming combat power.

The Black Hawk was designed with ease of maintenance and survivability in mind. The aircraft's critical components and systems are armored or redundant so that it can withstand multiple small-arms hits. In the event of a crash, its airframe progressively crushes on impact to protect the passengers and crew.

The Army began fielding the UH-60 in 1978, procuring UH-60A model aircraft into 1989. In that year, the Army upgraded the power train assemblies, resulting in the UH-60L model. UH-60L production began in October 1989 and will continue through 2006.

The follow-on to the UH-60L, the UH-6OM, takes advantage of existing aeronautical and digital technologies to recapitalize the fleet. Existing UH-60A/Ls will be recapitalized/upgraded into UH-60M aircraft that include a digital cockpit, airframe structural improvements and a propulsion upgrade. Immediate payoff is realized by maintaining the average fleet age at about 15 years, while reducing operations and support (O&S) costs. The O&S payback is a result of replacing the UH6OA engines and drive train (about 60 percent of the entire fleet) with a more reliable propulsion system. The new engine also provides significant lift capability improvement over the UH-60A and helps to offset the weight growth of added mission equipment. A fully integrated cockpit will allow the Black Hawk to operate on the digital battlefield and enhance system management while improving situational awareness. An improved flight control system, with a fully coupled flight director, will significantly reduce pilot workload.

Low-rate initial production of the UH6OM will begin in 2005 and full-rate production will begin in 2007. ;!

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will provide general aviation support for active TDA units in the mission areas of training, testing and MEDEVAC support. LUH will also provide the Army National Guard a platform to provide general aviation support in the mission areas of homeland security and generating force MEDEVAC. The LUH will not deploy into hostile combat environments.

The LUH acquisition strategy is to procure a commercial off-the-shelf/nondevelopmental aircraft platform that is FAA certified and to field the first lot of aircraft in 2006.