AH-6i helicopter flies in production configuration
The AH-6i light attack/reconnaissance helicopter in development with Boeing has taken its first flight in production configuration, the company announced on 1 May. The flight moves the programme a step closer to full-scale production.
The 20 minute flight saw Boeing pilots conduct forward, rearward and sideward flight at low speed and low elevations. The programme will now continue to prove the helicopter's close air support and attack capabilities, with further flight tests scheduled to expand the flight envelope over the next several months.
Boeing is developing the AH-6i to provide close-air support for land-based forces and serve as an attack platform for destroying tanks, armoured vehicles and fortifications. The company received a Foreign Military Sales contract to provide 24 aircraft to an international customer in November 2013.
The single-turbine helicopter is an advanced variant of the AH-6M helicopter operated by US Army Special Operations Forces. It is based on the combat-proven OH-6A Cayuse, and incorporates technologies from the Boeing AH-64E Apache multirole attack helicopter.
Scott Rudy, AH-6 program director, Boeing, said: ‘This first AH-6 flight in the production configuration takes us closer to delivering an advanced light attack and reconnaissance helicopter that meets the needs of defence forces around the world.’
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