ST. LOUIS, Oct. 05, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] this
week delivered the first AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter built
under the extended Block II contract to the U.S. Army during a
ceremony at the company's Mesa, Ariz., Apache production
facility.
Boeing is remanufacturing 96 A-model Apaches for the U.S. Army
under the extended Block II contract and continues to produce
new-build wartime replacement U.S. Army Apaches while working
toward delivery of the Block III Apaches beginning in 2011.
"Boeing hears repeatedly from our U.S. Army customer about the
critical importance of the Apache to the commanders and aviators
deployed around the globe," said Al Winn, Boeing Apache Programs
vice president. "Apache teammates know the importance of continuing
to deliver these helicopters on schedule to the soldiers."
U.S. Army Apache Project Manager Col. Derek Paquette joined Boeing
leaders, suppliers and employees outside the Apache flight test
hanger for the event.
"The AH-64D Apache Longbow continues to fulfill the attack and
reconnaissance requirements of battlefield commanders," Paquette
said. "With its arsenal of weapons, digital communications
capabilities and integrated avionics, this is a flexible platform
operating successfully across the spectrum of conflict."
The AH-64D Apache Longbow features fully integrated avionics and
weapons plus a state-of-the-art modem that transmits real-time,
secure, digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces.
The Apache Longbow has the ability to rapidly detect, classify,
prioritize and engage stationary or moving enemy targets at
standoff ranges in nearly all weather environments.
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anyone can confirm if our Apaches are Block II too?
