Boeing, US sign Apache E contract

20th March 2017 - 17:00 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Boeing has been awarded a five-year, $3.4 billion contract through which the US Army and an unnamed international customer will acquire the latest Apache attack helicopter, the company announced on 16 March.

This is the first multi-year agreement for the Apache AH-64E variant. The US Army will receive 244 remanufactured Apaches while the undisclosed international customer will get 24 new aircraft.

Col Joseph Hoecherl, the Apache project manager for the US Army, said: 'This agreement is great news for our army, our soldiers, the American taxpayers, our industry partners and numerous international partners. It is a direct result of the professional dedication and diligent efforts by government and industry teammates to provide the much needed capabilities of the world's best attack helicopter - the AH-64E Apache - at a fair and affordable price that results in year over year savings to the taxpayer.

'In the hands of our trained US soldiers, the Apache's technologies and resulting capabilities are essential to army operations around the globe.'

Kim Smith, vice president and programme manager, Boeing Attack Helicopters, said: 'The Apache has made a tremendous impact in the defence of the nations that have flown it for the last 37 years. Our team understands the responsibility we have to deliver the best aircraft on time at an affordable price every day, and we are committed to maintaining that well established tradition of excellence.'