"Paul F Austin" wrote in message
...

"Kevin Brooks" wrote

"John Cook" wrote in message
...
What will the US use?

There is obviously a operational need for an attack helicopter.

Which is what we have the Apache for.


How about licensed production of the Tigre!!

I don't think so. Why step *down* from the current Apache?


I can't imaging the Apache being current in a very few years, not
without major upgrades...

It is being upgraded. A models are being rebuilt as D models. D models
will
receive suitable upgrades as needed. What we *need* are new light
utility
helos for the ARNG, and this requirment has already been mentioned as a
possible destination for some of the previously planned Commanche funds.

What's the status on Apache airframes? About 800 airframes built for the
US
Army and as near as I can tell, the Army is planning to upgrade about 500
to -D standard. Are the balance available to be upgraded?

The Global Security website claims that "all" of the A models are to be
upgraded, but that may have been predicated upon the planned Commanche
fielding displacing a portion of the Apache fleet. The fielding plan I saw
indicates D model fielding will continue through around 2009, but that
report was from 2000, so... The plan called for a final force of 25 Apache
battalions. With 18 aircraft per divisional attack battalion and 21 per
corps battalion, you are looking at a total force of just under 500
airframes (assuming around 14 DIV battalions and 11 corps battalions). Could
the remainder be upgraded? I don't see why not, though it may require some
more structural replacement for the earliest high-hour airframes. Do they
plan to do so? I don't know, and I have not seen anything that indicates
that is the case. I would expect there to be a lot of decisions made or
announced in the near future in view of the recent news, affecting how the
aviation force will look Army-wide (to include the ARNG elements) given the
demise of the Commanche. I think we'll see an off-the-shelf purchase of a
new LUH; the possibility of a Bell 412 in military colors is not unrealistic
(and probably more likely than the Huey II refurbishment program), destined
for primarily ARNG service. The OH-58C's currently in use by ARNG outfits
that have lost their Cobras and/or Hueys can't last long.

Brooks