Fri, Oct 09, 2009
Prototype Design Began Just 7 Months Ago
Boeing said Thursday that the AH-6i light
attack/reconnaissance helicopter successfully completed its first
flight on September 16, seven months after the company started work
on the prototype aircraft.
During the 36-minute flight at the Boeing Rotorcraft Systems
facility in Mesa, Arizona, the helicopter demonstrated its flight
characteristics and several handling maneuvers.
Speaking Thursday at the Association of the United States Army
(AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Al Winn, Boeing vice
president of Apache Programs, said that Boeing experimental test
pilots have subsequently flown the helicopter over the Arizona
desert on multiple occasions as they test the platform's
capabilities.
"The AH-6i is based on a combat-proven airframe that special
operations forces have deployed with great success," said Winn.
"The successful first flight and our ongoing flight test program
give us great confidence in the capabilities of this new
international variant and its ability to meet the light-attack and
reconnaissance requirements of our international customers.
"The rapid integration of the avionics suite and cockpit proves
the value of the Boeing open systems architecture, originally
developed for the AH-64D Apache Block III, to facilitate quick
configuration and integration of new technologies," Winn added.
The AH-6i program, launched by Boeing at the 2008 AUSA meeting,
is intended for international customers. The AH-6i features
flexible mission configuration, an integrated digital cockpit,
combat-proven design, the highest payload in its class, an
integrated and qualified weapons system, and a communications
package that enables connectivity with other aircraft and ground
stations.
Boeing will produce the AH-6i at its facility in Mesa.
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