Boeing will build 184 AH-64E Apaches for the US Army and international customers, including the first Apaches for Australia.
This $1.9 billion award brings the total current funded value of the contract to $2.1 billion, and has the potential to increase to more than $3.8 billion with future obligations, according to a statement released by Boeing on Friday.
“We are enhancing the US Army’s attack fleet, while supporting additional partner nations and welcoming our newest Apache customer, the Australian Army,” said Christina Upah, vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior Boeing Mesa site executive. “This contract highlights the need for Apaches worldwide.”
The US Army will receive 115 remanufactured Apaches, with an additional 15 Apaches to be procured as options. The additional 54 aircraft will be delivered to partner nations as part of Foreign Military Sales.
The Australian Army’s Airbus Helicopters Tiger ARH will be replaced by 29 Apaches later this decade.
"This multi-year contract is critical for the warfighter and the entire Apache team," said Col. John (Jay) Maher, US Army Apache project manager. "It demonstrates the Army's commitment to continue putting unmatched capability into the hands of our nation’s finest, while providing stability and predictability for the outstanding citizens and companies that pour their talent into producing the best attack helicopter in the world."
Boeing Global Services will continue to deliver training devices, spare provisions, support and test equipment kits, depot support, field engineering and technical manuals. Boeing says major advantages in the technical publication area allow for a 'streamlined process approach' to re-use data which reduces operational and sustainment costs.
Under the first multi-year contract, signed in 2017, Boeing delivered 244 remanufactured Apaches to the US Army and 24 new-build aircraft to an international customer. The AH-64E is built at the Boeing site in Mesa, Arizona.