If problems found in early testing are not corrected before initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E)–such as connectivity problems between the AH-64 Apache Block III and the Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle–they could “adversely affect” the Defense Department’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) assessment of the operational effectiveness, suitability and survivability of the Army’s Apache Block III (AB3) helicopter, a new report said.
“The Apache Project is on track to resolve the issues identified in the DOT&E FY 2011 Annual Report. We don’t expect any of these issues to adversely impact the upcoming operational effectiveness evaluation nor to adversely affect employment of the Apache in combat,” said Col. Shane Openshaw, Army project manager, Apache.
Apache Block III (AB3) is produced by Boeing [BA], with sensors and unmanned aerial system datalink provided by Longbow Ltd., a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Northrop Grumman [NOC].
In the 2011 DOT&E Annual Report, the DOT&E director recommended the Army continue to resolve issues identified in Fiscal Year 2009 and 2010 recommendations. The results of developmental tests and the IOT&E will provide data to assess progress in each area, the report said.
The DOT&E recommendations for FY ’11 are that the Army should “resolve the connectivity problems discovered during interoperability testing between AB3 and Gray Eagle before IOT&E,” and assess “the operational impact of (Modernized-Target Acquisition Designation Sight) M-TADS video vibration” during the IOT&E.
The Apache Block III heads into Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) in March, and the results will feed analysis and into the full-rate production decision expected in June or July, Openshaw said in a recent luncheon briefing in Arlington, Va.
In 2009, DOT&E identified problems that came up during a limited user test. In one case, the new radar generated too many false targets in some modes of operation, and in another case, interoperability tests between the Block III helicopter and the Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle identified technical differences between the frame sizes in video sensor movements and differences in data rate and format between the two craft.
However, the report cited many instances of successful testing, to include: “The AB3 demonstrated compliance with all of the flight performance thresholds with the exception of Hover-Out-of-Ground-Effect. The Hover-Out-of-Ground-Effect capability met 99 percent of the performance requirement. The 1 percent shortfall should have little operational impact.”
Four Apache Block III helicopters have been delivered as of early November, David Koopersmith, Boeing vice president Attack Helicopter programs, said at that luncheon briefing. The new Block III will now remain viable through 2040.
Part of Openshaw’s work now is keeping the fleet ready–to continue managing obsolescence and sustainment, while keeping an eye on the new Block III equipment, such as a new main rotor, new transmission and Level 4 UAV control. This means the Apache crew can change where the sensors on a UAV are looking, and can also change the way points on the UAV’s path.
Looking at the Apache fleet, Openshaw said there are only 18 “A” model Apaches left, and by May the last one will be inducted into the remanufacturing line.
Koopersmith said work continues with international customers. For example, Boeing is awaiting an opportunity to bid on a request for proposals from South Korea, Saudi Arabia is buying new Apaches helicopters and the Apache team is completing the evaluation process for a requirement for India’s military.