The largest upgrade modification/upgrade program of 2012 is the AH-64 (Block III) Apache effort. Approved for full rate production in August, the E combines more than 25 technology upgrades, including upgraded engines for “hot/high” operation and unique unmanned air system (UAS) interoperability, allowing pilots to control a drone in flight, tap into its streaming video, and use its sensors for target engagement.
The AH-64 Apache Block III upgrade program boasts more than two dozen technology upgrades, including provision to control unmanned aerial vehicles. Boeing photo by Bob Ferguson
It was unknown how sequestration might affect AH-64E production, but the U.S. Army Acquisition Objective calls for 690 Block IIIs through 2026. Of those, 56 will be new builds, 634 remanufactured. Taiwan is the first foreign customer for the E model Apache, though potential sales to Qatar, Indonesia, and India were in the offing.
The Army’s Armed Aerial Scout program to replace the aging OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in the manned reconnaissance role pits several upgraded versions of existing helicopters against a version of Sikorsky Aircraft’s proposed all-new S-97.
Bell’s offering is a remanufactured OH-58D featuring the HTS900 engine, Model 407 blades and transmission, and the tail rotor from the Model 427. Boeing has submitted its AH-6, a light attack helo extensively evolved from the original Hughes OH-6A with a new six-blade rotor system, upgraded engine, and sensors.
EADS North America throws its hat in the ring with an armed, upgraded version of the twin-engine UH-72A Lakota utility helicopter the Army is currently fielding. Dubbed the AA-72X+, it is augmented by more powerful engines and a new sensor suite. AgustaWestland is proposing a military variant of its AW169, while AVX Aircraft Company of Forth Worth, Texas, has forwarded a substantial redesign of the OH-58 to incorporate a coaxial main rotor and two ducted fans in place of a tail rotor.
U.S. Navy (USN) helicopter upgrades include a $1.05 billion, five-year contract for MH-60R/S cockpits and integrated systems awarded to Lockheed Martin in April. More than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems will be installed in the antisurface and antisubmarine warfare “Romeo” and the ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue “Sierra.”
Transports
Upgrades and service life extensions for medium and heavy transport aircraft continue to be a priority for many of the world’s militaries.
The USAF kept pace with the recapitalization of its HC, MC, and AC-130 fleets. Lockheed Martin is under contract for 27 MC-130Js and 15 HC-130Js. Sixteen AC-130Js are planned, with IOC scheduled for 2015. The HC-130J is the personnel recovery/combat search and rescue (SAR) aircraft for Air Combat Command, and the MC-130J is the Special Operations tanker aircraft for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), while the AC-130J will augment AFSOC’s gunship fleet.
“This further demonstrates the amazing flexibility of the C-130J. We took a KC-130J tanker and, through in-line production design changes and significant capability enhancements, produced the current HC and MC aircraft,” said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for C-130 Programs.
The first AC-130J went into production in midsummer at Lockheed’s Marietta, Ga., facility. The aircraft are actually conversions of MC-130Js and will enable AFSOC to increase its overall gunship fleet from 25 to 33 platforms.
The first MC-130J to be converted into Air Force Special Operations Command’s newest variant of the gunship, the AC-130J Ghostrider, arrives at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 3, 2013. Modifications to the airframe will be completed in ten months and will be a milestone in the recapitalization of the AC-130H/U fleet. U.S. Air Force photo
Lockheed Martin is also offering a reduced-cost C-130J aimed at customers requiring a small fleet of aircraft capable of performing special missions in addition to tactical transport. Ten to 20 percent cheaper than the fully combat capable “combat delivery” 130J, the C-130XJ would have a reduced initial equipment set with features not in the standard J-model, including a nose mount for an EO/IR (electro-optical/infrared) sensor enabling SAR-type missions and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance). Also under development are roll on/roll off packages allowing operators to equip their 130J as a field hospital or for other missions including firefighting, armed ISR, and SIGINT (signals intelligence)/electronic intelligence.
The U.S. Air Force is also funding flight test development of upgraded Rolls-Royce T56 engines. The T56-15 Series 3.5 enhancement kit is aimed at increasing reliability and service life while cutting fuel consumption by close to 8 percent, with the larger objective of helping the USAF meet its target of reducing fuel usage by 10 percent in 2015 and increasing component life by 30 percent for supposed savings of up to $3.5 billion over life of fleet.
In early 2012, Japan made a request to purchase six second-hand USMC KC-130R aerial refueling tankers. The Hercs are intended to replace 10 of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s aged YS-11 transports. The aircraft will be converted to standard C-130R transport configuration with overhaul and modifications to be done by U.S. personnel.
South of the border, Lockheed Martin is exploring options for the supply of small numbers of upgraded C-130s to Latin American countries. Ex-American Hercules and the C-130XJ are being considered by several nations.