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

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

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(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.

"KAI began producing fuselages for the world’s most advanced combat helicopter nearly a decade ago at its facility in Sacheon," said Pat Gaines, president of Boeing Korea. "Today more than 1,000 AH-64D Apaches are in service, in production or under contract with 12 customers worldwide. This is just one example of the mutual benefits created by expanding the global reach of opportunities available to Korean industry."

KAI supports a number of other Boeing military and commercial aircraft programs. The company manufactures F-15 forward fuselages and wings, and is a key supplier on the A-10 Wing Replacement Program. Additionally, the company is performing the extensive modifications necessary for the 737-based Peace Eye Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, and is a major supplier of Boeing Commercial Airplanes assemblies. KAI’s high-quality, on-time deliveries earned it a 2010 Boeing Supplier of the Year award.

Boeing has worked throughout the program with its customers to plan continual Apache upgrades. Most of the original AH-64A Apaches have been upgraded to the Apache Block II configuration. The Apache Block III incorporates 26 new technologies designed to enhance the aircraft’s power and performance, such as an improved drive system and new main rotor blade.

Boeing has a strong history of cooperation with the Republic of Korea, going back a half century. Boeing shares productive partnerships with Korea in the commercial and defense aerospace markets and is committed to fostering long-term industrial growth for Korea through high-technology solutions that create jobs. The company employs nearly 190 highly skilled workers in Seoul, Busan, Gimpo, Sacheon, Seosan and Daegu. Today, Boeing works with nearly 20 Korean companies and spent more than $250 million with them in 2011, maintaining Korea’s position in the top quartile of nations with which Boeing does business.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Hal Klopper
International Communications
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Office:             +1 480-891-5519      
Mobile:             +1 602-391-7489      
hal.g.klopper@boeing.com

Chang Koh
Boeing Korea
Office:             +82 2 2075 4815      
Mobile:             +82 10 8943 3295      
changgyun.koh@boeing.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Orders KAI F/A-50 Light Attack Fighter Prototypes

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

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Flight

 (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.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Flight
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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