September 29, 2015: Strategy Page

India, after three years of deliberation by the procurement bureaucrats and politicians, approved the purchase of 22 American AH-64 Apache helicopter gunships and 15 CH-47F transport helicopters. Such delays are not unusual for India where decades of corrupt foreign arms purchases have been exposed in the last decade and the made those still involved in those decisions extremely cautious. It usually takes external events to move decisions forward. In the case of the American helicopters the primary motivators were Russian sales to Pakistan and a feud between the Indian Army and Air Force. The Russian aspect has to do with the growing hostility of India to Russian weapons. For half a century Russia has been the major supplier of imported weapons. But since the 1990s, as India freed up the economy (from fifty years of crippling state controls) and finally reached the limit of tolerance for poor quality and support that characterized Russian weapons, India began to buy weapons from the West. Although more expensive the Western stuff was more effective, reliable and often cheaper to operate than Russian systems. Now Russia has made the situation worse by selling helicopters to Pakistan, the arch enemy of India. India seems content to let the Pakistanis have the Russian dreck while India proceeds to upgrade with Western equipment. Since 2001 India has bought over $12 billion worth of American weapons and military equipment. The U.S. is the largest source but Israel and several European defense companies are also major suppliers. The Russian arms salesmen are not amused.

Another factor in helicopter procurement is an ongoing feud between the Indian Army and Air Force about who controls AH-64s. The air force has long operated the helicopter gunships, arguing that these helicopters are crucial for certain air combat missions like attacking air defense radars and other helicopters. The army generals were furious over that and demanded that the government set the air force straight. The army was particularly anxious to get the 22 Indian AH-64s as soon as possible, as these are generally recognized as the best gunships currently in service anywhere. Now those helicopters are on the way and apparently the army will have them.

Back in late 2012 the Indian Army thought it had won a major victory over the Indian Air Force when the government agreed to transfer most attack helicopters from the air force to the army. That was supposed to mean the army gets control of over 270 armed helicopters (22 AH-64s, 179 light combat models, and 76 armed Indian made transports). The air force would continue to operate a dozen or so elderly Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopter gunships, until they retire by the end of the decade. These are export versions of the Russian Mi-24. Even then it was clear that Russia was not the preferred helicopter supplier anymore.

The army had long complained that air force control of the armed helicopters, which were designed to support army operations, were sometimes difficult to get from the air force in a timely manner. Another aspect of this deal was a new agreement by the air force to station some transport helicopters at army bases in Kashmir, so that there will not be a delay when transport is needed for an emergency.

This sort of problem between the army and air force is not unique to India and is actually quite common. It all started back in the 1920s, a decade after aircraft became a major military asset. For example, at the start of World War I (1914-18), the British Royal Navy had more aircraft than the Royal Flying Corps (which belonged to the army). But at the end of World War I, it was decided to put all aircraft under the control of the new Royal Air Force (the former Royal Flying Corps). The navy was not happy with this and just before World War II broke out, the admirals got back control of their aircraft, at least the ones that operated from ships (especially aircraft carriers).

The British army expanded its Army Air Corps during World War II, to gain control over artillery spotter aircraft, gliders (for parachute divisions), and a few other transports for supporting commando operations. After World War II the Army Air Corps mainly controlled the growing fleet of transport and attack helicopters. The Indian Air Force has always refused to allow the Indian Army to do the same thing after modern India was created in 1947. The Indian armed forces was long led by men who started out as members of the British Indian Army and continued to note, and often copy, British practices.

Thus the Indian Air force, like its British counterpart tended to keep trying to control everything that flies. British Royal Air Force generals recently demanded control of everything that flies, believing that this is more efficient. The army and navy, not to mention the experience of many other nations, said otherwise. At the very least the army needs to control its helicopters and some small transports. In Russia the army always controlled ground attack aircraft, as well as some fighters. In the United States the Marine Corps controlled its own fighters, light bombers, and helicopters. It made a difference, especially to the marines on the ground, that the marine aircraft were being flown by marines.

Another problem with a unified air force is that it becomes, quite naturally, air force centric. This is understandable and the air force proceeds to develop strategies, and tactics, that emphasize looking at military matters from an air force viewpoint. Before World War II this led to the doctrine of strategic bombardment. This was supposed to be a decisive weapon but it wasn't. When nuclear weapons came along the air force believed that it finally had a way to make strategic bombardment decisive. But it didn't, as ballistic missiles (another form of artillery) became the key delivery system for nukes. Nuclear weapons were so destructive that they became more of a threat than a weapon that you could use. In fact the very existence of nukes resulted in them not being used again since the first two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945. The fact of the matter is that wars are still ultimately won by the ground forces. As the army likes to point out, the ultimate air superiority weapon is your infantry occupying the enemy air bases. Everyone else (the navy and air force) is there to support the infantry in actually winning the war.

18 mars 2015 Romandie.com (AFP)

Bamako - Deux militaires néerlandais de la Mission de l'ONU au Mali (Minusma) ont péri mardi dans un accident d'hélicoptère près de Gao, dans le nord du pays, a appris l'AFP de sources concordantes.

A La Haye, le chef d'état-major de l'armée néerlandaise, le général Tom Middendorp, a confirmé cet accident lors d'une conférence de presse mardi soir, précisant que les deux soldats étaient de nationalité néerlandaise.

Ils se trouvaient dans un hélicoptère de la Minusma qui était en phase d'atterrissage à une vingtaine de kilomètres de Gao avant de s'écraser, avait affirmé auparavant à l'AFP une source aéroportuaire à Gao.

Un de nos appareils s'est crashé, a déclaré à l'AFP une source au sein de la Minusma à Gao.

A La Haye, le général Middendorp, a précisé qu'un capitaine de 30 ans et un premier lieutenant de 26 ans sont morts dans le crash d'un hélicoptère Apache néerlandais d'attaque survenu aux alentours de 13H00 GMT.

Le capitaine est mort sur le coup, tandis que le premier lieutenant est décédé des suites de ses blessures peu après avoir été transféré à un hôpital de campagne français à Gao, a précisé le général Middendorp. Les deux hommes faisaient partie de l'escadron 301, originaire de la base aérienne de Gilze-Rijen dans le sud des Pays-Bas.

La Minusma compte actuellement quelque 11.000 personnes sur le terrain, dont près de 10.000 militaires et policiers, parmi lesquels environ 670 Néerlandais.

Avec plus de 40 Casques bleus tués depuis son déploiement en 2013, la Minusma est considérée comme la plus dangereuse des missions de l'ONU en cours.

Dans une déclaration unanime adoptée mardi soir à New York sur proposition de la France, les 15 pays membres du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU ont déploré la mort des deux Casques bleus néerlandais de la Minusma dans la région de Gao, à la suite d'un accident d'hélicoptère.

Ils ont adressé leurs condoléances aux familles des deux victimes de ce tragique accident et au gouvernement néerlandais. Ils ont aussi réitéré leur plein soutien à la Minusma, soulignant que la Mission aide les autorités maliennes à apporter une paix et une stabilité durables au pays.

February 19, 2015: Strategy Page

The U.S. Army received its first AH-64Es in 2011. Then in 2014 this most recent version of the Apache completed a seven month tour in Afghanistan. There the 24 AH-64Es with an aviation battalion performed better than expected. Each of these AH-64Es flew an average 66 hours a month while there. The readiness rate of the AH-64Es was 87 percent, compared to the army standard of 80 percent. One of the surprising new capabilities of the AH-64E was its ability to fly about 29 percent (at 288 kilometers an hour) faster that the D model. That translated into moving about one kilometer per minute faster and this cost the experienced Taliban commanders a lot of casualties. That was because these guys knew from experience how long it took a D model to arrive after the Taliban ambushed NATO forces. Suddenly the E model was showing up earlier and catching the Taliban exposed to attack rather than safely away or under cover. The AH-64E also had new electronics that enabled it to work more closely with UAVs, as in getting the video feeds directly and basically using the UAVs more effectively as scouts to spot targets. The Taliban weren’t expecting that either. NATO troops supported by the AH-64Es also noted the new capabilities and quickly began exploiting them when they knew they were getting air support from Es instead of Ds. These speed and commo capabilities were built into the AH-64E based on past experience and testing and training exercises gave pilots and ground commanders hints that these changes could be very useful. Battlefield experience confirmed that and led to new tactics for the E crews and the troops supported that no one had foreseen.

Testing of these new capabilities began in 2011 when the army began receiving the first of 51 "low rate initial production” AH-64s. This came three years after the first flight. These aircraft were then called the AH-64D Block III Apache helicopter gunship. It was decided in 2012 that the Block III improvements were so numerous and dramatic that it made more sense to go to a simpler and more descriptive AH-64E designation. The D model also had a name; Longbow (as it was optimized to kill tanks). The E model was called Guardian (because it was optimized for supporting infantry).

This goes back to the AH-64A, which was the initial model and entered service in 1986. The last AH-64A was taken out of service in 2012 for upgrade to the AH-64D standard. The AH-64B was an upgrade proposed for the early 1990s, but was cancelled, as was a similar “C” model upgrade. Some of these cancelled improvements were in great demand. Thus the “B” and “C” model upgrades were incorporated in the AH-64D Block I (1997). The AH-64D Longbow (because of the radar mast, making it possible to see ground targets and flying obstacles in all weather) models began appearing in 2002.

By the end of the decade 634 army AH-64Ds will be upgraded to the new AH-64E standard. The first AH-64Es entered service in 2012 and were heavily used to reveal any design or manufacturing flaws. These were fixed before mass production and conversion began in late 2013.

AH-64Es have more powerful and fuel efficient engines, as well as much improved electronics. AH-64Es also have Internet- like capabilities enabling these gunships to quickly exchange images, video, and so on with other aircraft and ground troops. Each AH-64E can also control several UAVs and launch missiles at targets spotted by these UAVs. The AH-64E radar has longer range and onboard computers are much more powerful than earlier ones. The electronics are easier to upgrade and maintain. The combination of improved fire control and Internet capabilities greatly increases the combat effectiveness of the AH-64.

The 10 ton AH-64E carries a pilot and a weapons officer, as well as up to 16 Hellfire missiles (plus the 30mm automatic cannon). Sorties average three hours. The AH-64 can operate at night and has a top speed of about 300 kilometers an hour.

In addition to the U.S. Army, the AH-64E the UAE (United Arab Emirates) bought 60. Neighboring Saudi Arabia ordered 70, as well as upgrades for its existing twelve AH-64s to the “E” standard. Many more of the existing 1,100 AH-64s (American and foreign) may be upgraded as well.

A US Army AH-64D Apache helicopter at forward operating base in Speicher, Iraq. Photo: courtesy of the US Army, photo by Tech Sgt Andy Dunaway.

30 January 2015 army-technology.com

The US Army is reportedly in talks with Boeing regarding a new multi-year agreement for the acquisition of an additional 240 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 2017 to 2021.

US Army Apache programme manager Colonel Jeff Hager was quoted by Reuters as saying that army acquisition chief Heidi Shyu recently signed a document for the two sides to start work on an agreement, with the aim of receiving approval from the defence secretary by March 2016.

Boeing attack helicopters business development head Mark Ballew said it could include options for foreign military sales of 100 Apaches.

The US Government has already approved Apache sales to Qatar and Indonesia, Ballew added, noting that the helicopter has also drawn interest from other countries.

According to Reuters, lawmakers generally ask military services to demonstrate significant savings compared to the cost of negotiating purchases on a year-by-year basis.

Boeing attack helicopter programmes vice-president Kim Smith said: "We at Boeing have been doing our part to leave no stone unturned."

Meanwhile, Pentagon chief arms buyer Frank Kendall reportedly told the House Armed Services Committee that he favoured multi-year agreements because they allow programme managers to focus on performance, rather than annual contract negotiations.

Powered by two GE T700-701D engines, the AH-64 Apache is primarily used for distributed operations and deep precision strikes against relocatable targets. It can also provide armed reconnaissance when required in day, night, obscured battlefield and adverse weather conditions.

It is used by US, Greece, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands and Singapore.

21-01-2015 Par RFI

Les forces de l'ONU au Mali ont détruit mardi 20 janvier un véhicule des rebelles lors d'une frappe aérienne dans le nord du pays. La coordination des mouvements de l'Azawad (CMA) assure avoir été visée par un hélicoptère de la Minusma. Sept personnes ont été tuées.

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A US Army Apache helicopter flies over Iraq in 2008. Army pilots for the first time used an Apache attack helicopter to strike Islamist militants in Iraq over the weekend, according to CENTCOM. (Army)

Oct. 5, 2014 - By PAUL McLEARY – Defense News

15/07/2014 latribune.fr

L'émirat a signé lundi avec le Pentagone un contrat pour l'achat de missiles Patriot américains (Raytheon) et d'hélicoptères d'attaque Apache. Une commande record passée avec les Etats-Unis, moins d'un mois après les échanges entre François Hollande et le cheikh qatari sur une éventuel vente d'avions Rafales.

La concurrence s'intensifie. Les États-Unis et le Qatar ont conclu lundi un accord d'un montant évalué à 11 milliards de dollars soit 8 milliards d'euros portant sur la livraison à l'émirat d'hélicoptères de combat Apache ainsi que de missiles Patriot et de systèmes de défense anti-aérien Javelin.

Le plus gros contrat de l'année avec les Etats-Unis

Le ministre de la Défense du Qatar, Hamid ben Ali Al-Attiyah, a signé ce contrat à l'issue d'entretiens avec son homologue américain Chuck Hagel à Washington, ont précisé ces responsables qui s'exprimaient sous le couvert de l'anonymat.

Dans le détail, l'émirat acquiert une dizaine de radars et 34 lanceurs de missiles Patriot, fabriqués par le groupe de défense américain Raytheon, et destinés à la défense anti-missile. En outre, Doha achète 24 hélicoptères d'attaque Apache et des missiles anti-char Javelin, selon les mêmes sources.

Il s'agit du plus gros contrat d'armement passé cette année par les États-Unis.

Un point pour Boeing

L'avionneur américain Boeing est de son côté en compétition avec le britannique BAE Systems et le français Dassault pour fournir au Qatar des avions de chasse.

Dans ce contexte, la vente de lundi est "un bon signe" pour Boeing, s'est réjoui un haut responsable du Pentagone.

Les États-Unis, a-t-il poursuivi, veulent continuer à être "le fournisseur de choix" du Qatar et d'autres États du Golfe en termes d'armement.

C'est la première fois que le Qatar se dote de missiles Patriot, tandis que d'autres pays du Golfe comme le Koweït, l'Arabie saoudite et les Émirats arabes unis en ont déjà acheté par le passé.

Contrer la menace iranienne

Par l'achat de ces armes, le Qatar entend ainsi s'équiper pour contenir la menace qu'il voit dans l'Iran voisin. Les responsables américains pressent depuis longtemps leurs partenaires du Golfe de mettre en place un réseau coordonné de défense anti-missile pour faire face à la menace de l'Iran, mais une telle coopération a mis du temps à s'installer.

La vente de ces armes devrait améliorer les relations diplomatiques et de sécurité des États-Unis avec le Qatar, a estimé l'un des responsables, malgré des différends qui persistent sur le dossier syrien et notamment l'aide de Doha à certains groupes rebelles jugés trop radicaux par Washington.

"C'est un investissement dans la prochaine génération (de dirigeants militaires)... C'est un investissement sur le long terme", a souligné l'un des responsables.

D'autant que le Qatar abrite le Centre des opérations aériennes combinées (CAOC), capital pour l'armée américaine car les hauts responsables militaires y supervisent leurs avions de combat en Afghanistan et surveillent le trafic aérien à travers le Moyen-Orient.

54.000 emplois créés

La vente de ces armes sera également bénéfique à l'économie américaine, selon ces responsables, qui citent le chiffre de 54.000 emplois créés dans le cadre du contrat signé avec le Qatar.

Les missiles Patriot valent plus de 7 milliards de dollars, les hélicoptères Apache plus de 3 milliards et les missiles anti-char Javelin près de 100 millions, selon les mêmes sources

Jul 8, 2014 Rajat Pandit, TNN

NEW DELHI: India is now close to inking major deals worth over $2.5 billion for two iconic American helicopters, the Apache attack and Chinook heavy-lift choppers, which thrashed their Russian rivals both technically and commercially earlier.

Defence ministry sources on Monday said the around $1.4 billion deal for 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow gunships, armed with deadly Hellfire and Stinger missiles, and the $1.1 billion one for 15 CH-47F Chinooks, equipped with powerful contra-rotating tandem rotors, are "almost ready" now.

"These two deals for IAF will be placed for approval before the first defence acquisitions council (DAC) meeting to be chaired by Arun Jaitley on July 19. Thereafter, the cases will be moved for the cabinet committee on security's final nod," said a source.

An Apache attack helicopter landing at Camp Bastion (library image) [Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Mez Merrill, Crown copyright]

14 April 2014 Ministry of Defence

The British Army's Apache attack helicopters, operated by the Army Air Corps, flew their 50,000th hour on operation in Afghanistan recently.
 

This represents a third of all UK Apache flying, a huge proportion of the total. Apache helicopters have been conducting operations in Afghanistan since 2006, deploying initially with 16 Air Assault Brigade, shortly after being introduced into service with the British Army. Since then the aircraft have been constantly deployed on Operation Herrick, the UK’s name for operations in Afghanistan, where they provide support to ground forces, tactical strike, reconnaissance, and armed escort to other helicopters.

To maintain Apache’s high tempo of operations, the aircraft are fully supported by air and ground crews from the Army Air Corps (AAC), and technicians from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). All these soldiers perform a vital function, keeping the aircraft serviceable and airborne.

The current detachment, 664 Squadron AAC, part of 4 Regiment AAC, is commanded by Major Simon Wilsey, who actually flew the 50,000th hour. Major Wilsey said:

The operational tempo we have maintained over the last 8 years has been challenging, but the resilience of our soldiers, and especially that of their families supporting them, is outstanding. I am proud and lucky to command such high calibre, professional soldiers and such an amazing capability as the Apache.

The Apache will continue to play a key role with 16 Air Assault Brigade once operations in Afghanistan draw to a close and the brigade starts to focus on readiness for contingency operations.

Commander of the Joint Aviation Group, Colonel Jaimie Roylance of the Royal Marines, said:

This immaculately versatile machine has, for nearly 8 years, been the most clinically precise and effective attack helicopter when it has needed to be. But, equally, and sometimes at the same time, it has been the most wonderfully effective keeper of the peace, and protector of the vulnerable in its escort and deterrent roles.

There is a vital role for the Apache now, but I am just as sure that there will be an essential role for this exceptional helicopter, and for the force which flies and maintains her, in the years to come after Afghanistan.

Mar 11, 2014 ASDNews Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $14 million contract in 2013 from the U.S. Army to design, integrate and qualify a High Reliability Turret for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

The High Reliability Turret is the interface between the M-TADS/PNVS and the Apache airframe. It improves target track performance and minimizes the effects of aircraft vibration on the system. The turret also improves M-TADS/PNVS reliability and maintainability, as well as reducing the operations and support costs of the existing turret assembly. It will potentially save the U.S. Army more than $500 million in operation and support costs over the life of the system.

Read more

28 nov 2013 Mali-Actu

Le Président de la République, SEM Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, a reçu cet après-midi à Koulouba une délégation ministérielle de haut niveau du Royaume des Pays-Bas. La délégation comprenait le ministre des Affaires Etrangères et son collègue de la Défense, respectivement SEM Frans TIMMERMANS et M. Jeanine HENNIS-PLASCHAERT.

D’autres personnalités néerlandaises étaient aussi du déplacement à Koulouba dont Maarten BROUWER, Ambassadeur du Royaume des Pays-Bas au Mali, et le Général Tom MIDDENDORP, Chef de la défense néerlandais.

Les compatriotes de Bert Koenders, le patron de la Mission intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (Minusma), s’engagent à déployer environ 400 hommes au Mali pour appuyer les forces internationales.

Le Royaume des Pays-Bas a aussi décidé de mettre à la disposition de la MINUSMA 4 hélicoptères dédiés à la recherche du renseignement.

Ces annonces ont été saluées par le Chef de l’Etat qui a exprimé sa profonde gratitude au gouvernement et au peuple néerlandais.

November 10, 2013 by martin – Think Defence

Due to the ongoing sequestration and budget battle in Washington the US Army has been forced to delay its Apache new build and rebuild programs to AH 64 E standards. This means the current type as used by the British Army is likely to be supported for longer giving the MOD some vital breathing space to decide what to do about its Apaches.

Currently UK thinking seems to be slanted towards going for a rebuild on the current fleet but reported costs for the US program would put a rebuild on the entire UK Apaches fleet some where north of $600 million which is probably not something the MOD can consider for the next few years at the very least.

However as the rebuild will see the fuselage and main rotor replaced, if it was to go ahead would it be worth the UK looking at a marinised version? The aircraft is said to have performed very well from Ocean but it has some severe maintenance issues when being used in a salt water environment. Could a rebuild offer us the chance to solve some of these issues and produce a truly purple asset.

ADEX 2013: US sequestration buys time for UK Apache decision makers