The State Department approved a possible $3 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) request to the United Kingdom (U.K.) for refurbishing 50 WAH-64 Mk 1 into AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the potential sale on Aug. 26.
The primary contractors would be Boeing [BA], Lockheed Martin [LMT], General Electric [GE], and Longbow Limited Liability Corporation. Longbow is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman [NOC].
Photo: U.S. Army
The requested FMS would include the remanufacture of 50 United Kingdom WAH-64 Mk 1 Attack Helicopters to AH-64E Apache Guardian Helicopters with 110 T-700-GE-701D Engines (100 installed and 10 spares), the refurbishment of 53 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (M-TADS) (50 installed and three spares), the refurbishment of 53 AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVS) (50 installed and three spares), the refurbishment of 52 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) (50 installed and two spares) with 55 Radar Electronics Units (Longbow Component) (50 installed and five spares), 52 AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (50 installed and two spares), 60 AAR-57(V) 3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser (50 installed and 10 spares), 120 Embedded Global Positioning Systems (GPS) with Inertial Navigation (100 installed and 20 spares), and 300 Apache Aviator Integrated Helmets.
The sale would also include AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets, AN/APR-39D(V)2 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, Integrated Helmet and Display Sight Systems (IHDSS-21), Manned-Unmanned Teaming International (MUMT-I), KOR-24A Link 16 terminals, M206 infrared countermeasure flares, M211 and M212 Advanced Infrared Countermeasure Munitions (AIRCMM) flares, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, ammunition, communication equipment, tools and test equipment, training devices, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles, organizational equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The U.K. intends to use the Apaches to conduct missions including counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations. DSCA highlighted the upgrade and refurbishment of the helicopters “will enable the United Kingdom to become a more capable defensive force and will also provide key elements required for interoperability with U.S. forces.”
Implementation of the FMS may require the assignment of six U.S. contractor representatives to the U.K. full-time for up to 60 months for equipment checkout, fielding, and technical support.