Leonardo’s DAS for UK’s new AH-64E helicopters
Leonardo has received a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a defensive aids suite (DAS) for the British Army’s new fleet of AH-64E Apache helicopters, the company announced on 3 April.
Every Apache AH-64E has a built-in Leonardo DAS computer known as an Aircraft Gateway Processor. Under this project Leonardo will take the DAS one step further by integrating a number of sensors and countermeasure systems onto the UK AH-64E to enhance its situational awareness and survivability.
An integrated DAS helps protect a helicopter from threats in a joined-up way. A complete system includes sensors to identify threats to the helicopter, countermeasures to defeat these threats and a computer that coordinates the whole system, linking the incoming warnings with protection techniques such as chaff or flares.
The helicopters’ sensor fit will include Leonardo's UK-specific SG200-D radar warning and will re-use a number of systems that are currently on-board the army’s fleet of Apache AH Mk1 including Leonardo’s S1223 laser warning receiver, BAE Systems' AN/AAR-57 missile approach warner and Thales' Vicon countermeasure dispensing system.
Integration will be conducted by Leonardo in Luton and the complete system will then be installed by Boeing on its AH-64E production line in US. All 50 helicopters being procured by the UK MoD will be capable of operating with the integrated DAS.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
