Initial flight of ZJ172-the first GKN Westland-built WAH-64 Longbow Apache-immediately before the Farnborough show on July 18 was a major milestone in its development program, which the company says is running to budget and time-scale schedules, and is meeting its design and performance objectives. As one of the eight Boeing-built WAH-64s which started the UK's Army Air Corps program, ZJ173 flew into Farnborough for its first public showing. It joined the extensive GKN Westland/Agusta exhibits, all shown statically in this year's display.

From the $3.2 billion 1996 contract, the first Boeing-built WAH-64, re-engined with Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshafts, was handed over to the AAC in March 2000, after being shipped to GKN Westland for final assembly and test. Several others remain in the U.S. to supplement those in the UK for development and operational trials. GKN Westland is ramping up production of the remaining 59, from part-fuselage sections supplied by Boeing.

Intensive trials are continuing through the MoD's Defense Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA) and Rotary-Wing Test Squadron at Boscombe Down, for initial Military Aircraft Clearance (MAR 1). This is expected to meet the planned in-service date-requiring delivery of the first nine aircraft-in December. A further six MAR stages are scheduled for completion by 2003, when GKN Westland is also due to finish production. The 67 WAH-64s, all equipped with Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman APG-78 mast-mounted millimetric radar, will then comprise the main operational element of the UK's new Joint Helicopter Command.

The AAC will be trained to operate and maintain the WAH-64 by Aviation Training International (ATIL), under the UK government's Private Finance Initiative. ATIL's $1 billion contract will provide a complete training service over the next 30 years over four UK sites. Initial aircrew conversion and ground-school training will be done at the AAC's Middle Wallop HQ, where the main flight simulator will be located, continuation training at Dishforth airfield and Wattisham's main operational base, and maintenance training at Arborfield.

By John Fricker