Aircraft
Paris 2011: Deliveries of First Block III Apache Helicopters Planned for U.S. Army, Taiwan
The first three AH-64D Block

The first three AH-64D Block III Apaches, the latest update of the attack helicopter, were advancing through production this month at the Boeing Global Strike facility in Mesa, Arizona, in advance of first deliveries to the U.S. Army this fall.

Last October Boeing was awarded a $247 million U.S. government contract to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Block III Apache, initially for eight Lot 1 aircraft. The LRIP phase covers 51 aircraft for the Army, and, according to the Army’s Apache program manager, will include the start of production of 30 helicopters ordered by Taiwan, the first export customer of the Block III.