In the United States, the **Army Contracting Command**, based at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, **has awarded Boeing a contract worth $4.68 billion for the construction of AH-64E Apache combat helicopters**.

Along with the helicopters, **Boeing will provide Longbow training systems** (millimeter wave radar), spare parts and associated accessories.

**The work** of this order will be carried out at the Boeing plant in Mesa, Arizona and **will be completed by May 30, 2032**, barring complications.

Beyond the US Army, **the contract includes foreign military sales** (FMS) **in favor of Poland (96 units), Egypt (10 new units plus 43 AH-64D to be refurbished) and Kuwait** (**8 units**) which will receive the Guardian Apache version of the AH-64.

The AH-64E Guardian Apache

The latest version of the Apache equipped with **Longbow millimeter wave radar** is armed with a 30 mm caliber machine gun, 70 mm Hydra rockets including the **Semi Active Laser** (SAL) guided **APKWS** version and **AGM-114N Hellfire anti-tank missiles**; in the near future these helicopters will receive the **AGM-179A JASSM air-to-surface missiles** and the **SPIKE NLOS missile** (already in service with the Israeli Apaches); moreover, **experiments using various types of loitering munitions have begun**.

The AH-64E built by Boeing is equipped with **new transmission and rotor blades** to improve flight performance, **enhanced observation and firing systems as well as sensors**.

On board the Guardian Apache are **communication systems available for sharing data** (data link) **with other helicopters**, **unmanned aerial systems and ground forces**, and there are also integrated diagnostic maintenance systems to increase the operational availability of the aircraft.

Source: US Department of War (US DoW)

Photo credit: @Boeing