http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/79344
英國正權衡不同“阿帕奇”直升機升級方案
2012-12-10
[據英國《飛行國際》2012年11月28日報導]在從阿富汗戰場撤軍兩年後,英國陸軍準備開展一個韋斯特蘭/波音公司“阿帕奇”AH1武裝直升機的能力維持項目(CSP)。
英國陸軍航空兵(AAC)曾於2004年10月宣佈其67架“阿帕奇”直升機已具備初始作戰能力,但由於美國陸軍計畫於2017年停止全部AH-64D Block I型(英軍現役“阿帕奇”的基礎構型)的保障服務,因此英軍需要對其現有的“阿帕奇”進行現代化改型。英軍目前正在對技術方案進行評估,預計在2013年年初做出決定。英軍希望其“阿帕奇”直升機能夠至少使用到2040年。
目前正在評審的方案包括:不做任何升級工作;做最小的升級;基於現有機身引入新技術;升級至美軍AH-64E標準或該標準的英國版;採購換代機型。
此外,英軍還將對其“阿帕奇”機隊進行重組,將原有的5個作戰中隊減少至4個。這次重組是根據英國政府2010年下半年發佈的“戰略防禦和安全評估”結果做出的大規模軍費削減計畫的一部分。
目前英軍的“阿帕奇”直升機已在阿富汗和利比亞戰場執行了至少100000小時的飛行任務。(中國航空工業發展研究中心 李昊)
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-weighing-options-for-apache-attack-helicopter-upgrade-379558/
UK weighing options for Apache attack helicopter upgrade
PrintBy: Craig Hoyle London 04:53 28 Nov 2012 Source:
With the UK little more than two years away from ending its combat involvement in Afghanistan, the British Army is looking for a decision on a potential capability sustainment programme (CSP) for its Westland/Boeing Apache AH1 attack helicopters.
The Army Air Corps (AAC) declared initial operating capability with its originally 67-strong Apache fleet in October 2004, but a modernisation is required due to the US Army's planned withdrawal of support by 2017 for the Block I AH-64D model on which it is based. The US service has an operational fleet of more than 600 Apaches, but is transitioning to using the Block III/E-model version of the rotorcraft.
"The AH CSP is designed to address the sustainment issue that this raises, and provide the required capability, training and support out to 2040," says Col Andrew Cash, commander of the army's attack helicopter force and 16 Air Assault Brigade.
"The technical options are being evaluated, and I expect a decision on the way ahead for assessment by early next year." A main investment decision should follow during 2014, the Ministry of Defence says.
Potential courses of action, he says, include: "Do nothing; do the minimum; technology insertion based on the current airframes; update to the US AH-64E standard, or this standard but with UK-specific equipment; or an entirely new replacement attack helicopter."
Organisational changes are also planned, with the AAC expecting to reduce its Apache force strength from five to four operational squadrons, to be divided between two regiments, plus an operational conversion unit. The move forms part of wider spending reductions as a result of the UK government's Strategic Defence and Security Review of late 2010.
First flown in combat in Afghanistan as part of the UK's Operation "Herrick" in May 2006, the UK's Apaches have accumulated more than 100,000 flight hours, also including an offensive contribution from the Royal Navy vessel HMS Ocean during the NATO-led operation in Libya in 2011.
The UK government has signalled its intention to halt combat activities in Afghanistan by 31 December 2014, which Cash says will place additional demand on the Apache fleet. "I envisage a wide range of roles for AH during that transition, particularly for escort and protection of the UK draw-down activity," he said during a lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London on 20 November.
Longer-term, he adds: "We are already looking beyond Herrick. We need to relearn some sills, knowledge and capabilities."
This process will include developing the army's find/strike concept of operations for employing the Apache in conjunction with its future AgustaWestland Lynx Wildcat armed reconnaissance helicopters, he says.
Meanwhile, the army has formally retired the Apache which was damaged in a heavy landing in Afghanistan in 2008. The step reduces its AH1 inventory to 66 airframes.