DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Receives 1st 10 New Fuselages Designed For AH-64D Apache Block III

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Receives 1st 10 New Fuselages Designed For AH-64D Apache Block III

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 12, 2012: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received the first 10 new fuselages designed specifically for the AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter from long-time supplier Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). This milestone paves the way for delivery of the first Apache Block III aircraft with new fuselages next year.

"KAI has been a key part of our ongoing effort to keep the Apache relevant and ahead of the competition," said Bill Elder, Boeing regional manager, Northeast Asia, Attack Helicopters Business Development. "The Apache's role has dramatically changed over the years, and it is vital for Boeing to give its customers the capabilities they need in a package that will perform for many years to come."

The new fuselage incorporates a variety of small but important modifications to accommodate Block III configuration changes, such as enhancements to the extended forward avionics bays and slots for new electronics.

Boeing will produce approximately 50 AH-64D Apache Block III helicopters for the U.S. Army under Low Rate Initial Production. The Army's acquisition objective stands at 690 Apache Block III aircraft. In addition, a growing number of defense forces worldwide have contracted for or are considering upgrading to or adding the Apache Block III to their rotorcraft fleets.

(Read complete story on Defense-Technology News - Click on link undermentioned)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca/2012/07/dtn-news-defense-news-boeing-receives.html

DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Orders KAI F/A-50 Light Attack Fighter Prototypes

DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Orders KAI F/A-50 Light Attack Fighter Prototypes

 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 9, 2012: South Korea has asked Korea Aerospace Industries to develop a prototype of a light attack version of its T-50 advanced jet trainer, with a production contract likely to be awarded after the aircraft has been tested by the nation's air force.

Under the 400 billion won ($306 million) contract, KAI will upgrade four T-50s to the F/A-50 standard and deliver them to the South Korean air force by 2012. It then expects the service to order around 60 F/A-50s for delivery from 2013 to replace its ageing Northrop F-5s, and to eventually buy up to 150 of the type.

 

KAI has been pushing Seoul to finance the F/A-50's development for several years as it wants to keep its T-50 production line open beyond 2012, when the last South Korean aircraft currently under contract will be delivered. Its air force has ordered 82 T-50s, including 50 advanced jet trainers, 22 armed A-50s and 10 for its aerobatics display team. The service could order another 70 trainer and weaponised variants, say sources, and the T-50 is also in contention in several international tenders.

Tenders were issued last year by KAI to suppliers of radar warning receivers, precision-guided bombs, countermeasures dispensers, advanced tactical datalinks and weapons management systems for the F/A-50. Known armaments will include bombs equipped with Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits and Raytheon's AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile.

The F/A-50 is also likely to use an EL/M-2032 radar supplied by Israel's Elta Systems. The radar selection has been a bone of contention with Lockheed Martin, which helped to develop the T-50 and had wanted KAI to use its own APG-67(V)4 on the F/A-50. Seoul had preferred Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems' Vixen 500E active electronically scanned array, but is barred from sharing the T-50's source codes with non-US companies. That led to it choosing the Israeli radar, which will be installed on the F/A-50 by a US company, meeting US government and Lockheed conditions.

KAI and Lockheed are jointly marketing the T-50 outside South Korea, with the aircraft locked in fierce competition with Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 in Greece, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The companies are also promoting the aircraft in other European and Asian countries with advanced trainer requirements. Industry sources say the F/A-50 will also be offered to countries that require light attack aircraft after 2013.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2012/01/dtn-news-south-korean-defense-news.html