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AH-64 Apache Helicopter
The Boeing IDS AH-64
Apache Helicopter is the US Army's principal
attack helicopter, the successor to the AH-1
Cobra. The US
Army issued a request for proposals (RFP)
in 1972 for an Advanced Attack Helicopter
(AAH). From an initial list of 5 manufacturers
Hughes Aircraft's Toolco Aircraft Division
(later Hughes Helicopters) and Bell were selected
as finalists. Hughes' Model 97/YAH-64 was
selected over Bell's Model 409/YAH-63 in 1976.
First flight of a development prototype occurred
on September 30, 1975 but it was not until
1982 that a production contract was signed.
In 1983 the first production helicopter was
rolled out at Hughes Helicopter's facility
at Mesa, Arizona. In 1984 Hughes Helicopters
was purchased by McDonnell Douglas for $500
million. This became Boeing Helicopters with
the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing
in 1996.
Two major models of
AH-64 Apache are in service in the US Army;
AH-64A and AH-64D. B- and C-variants were
manufactured but never entered service. A
number of other models have been derived from
both AH-64A and AH-64D for export. The British
built Westland WAH-64 is based on the AH-64D
with several improvements.
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