Tenth U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow Battalion Certified Combat-Ready
The U.S. Army's tenth AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter battalion has been certified combat-ready after completing extensive training in its Boeing [NYSE: BA] helicopters at Fort Hood, Texas.
The 2nd Battalion, 6th Cavalry Brigade, based in Illesheim, Germany, completed eight months of training with the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters built at the Boeing Mesa, Ariz., plant.
To qualify, the men and women of the battalion, known as the Fighting Sixth, completed a series of comprehensive classroom, flight and field exercises. Soldiers underwent a rigorous field examination, three live-fire exercises and completed approximately 3,200 flight-hours during the training program.
The unit fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 as an AH-64A Apache battalion. Upon their return, the helicopters were returned to Mesa where they were remanufactured into next-generation AH-64D Apache Longbows The U.S. Army is modernizing AH-64A Apaches into next-generation AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters that link a wide range of avionics, electronics and weapons into one fully-integrated weapons system. Boeing was awarded a contract in September 2000 valued at $2.3billion over five years to complete the remanufacture of aircraft.
In addition to the U.S. Army, a total of 11 nations worldwide have selected the Apache for their defense forces.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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