波音确定Apache机型升级标准，暗示新Guardian客户

波音发现，在亚洲地区的新加坡和日本这两个潜在客户市场，当前的AH-64D Longbow Apache直升机运营商对依照AH-64E Guardian标准来改制自己的直升机越来越感兴趣。

Boeing is seeing increased interest from current AH-64D Longbow Apache operators to remanufacture their helicopters to the AH-64E Guardian standard, with Singapore and Japan as potential clients in Asia.

波音垂直起落、全球销售与营销高级经理Terry Jamison也暗示，该公司已与一个新客户签署了一份协议，同时正努力达成另一份协议。这些国家位于非洲和亚太地区，具体国名暂未披露。

Terry Jamison, Boeing senior manager for vertical lift, global sales and marketing, also hinted that the company has signed a letter of agreement (LOA) with a new customer and is working towards signing another. The undisclosed nations are in Africa and the Asia-Pacific.

2018年11月，美国国务院批准向埃及出售10架AH-64E，埃及可能是签署该协议的非洲国家。据报道，孟加拉国已选择Guardian，尽管它还没有批准国务院对外军售(FMS)；该计划可能会涵盖8到10架直升机。

The U.S. State Department cleared the sale of 10 AH-64Es to Egypt in November 2018, which could be the African state that signed the LOA. Bangladesh reportedly has selected the Guardian, although it has not cleared the State Dept. as a foreign military sale (FMS); the program could cover eight to 10 helicopters. 

Jamison表示，由于美国陆军常年购买791飞机，从而拉低了Guardian机型的单位成本，使波音赢了三次价格战。此外，如果客户选择美国陆军配置以及1:3的雷达/枪炮配对比例，价格可以保持在较低水平。

Jamison said Boeing has won three campaigns based on price, thanks to the U.S. Army’s multi-year buy of 791 aircraft, which was able to bring down the unit cost of the Guardian. Furthermore, prices can be kept low if the customer opts for the U.S. Army configuration, and radar/shooter pairing ratio of 1:3.   

Jamison补充称，鉴于零部件的淘汰将拉高使用成本，目前D型飞机客户都已跟波音接洽，希望过渡至E型飞机。他表示，美国陆军将在三年内完成向Guardian机型的过渡，之后D型飞机的成本将会增加，尽管波音宣称将继续支持其客户。

Jamison added that every current D-model customer has approached Boeing to make the transition to the E model, as the obsolescence of parts will make sustainment more expensive. He said the U.S. Army will complete the transition to the Guardian in three years, after which costs will increase for the D model, although Boeing has said it will continue to support its customers.

“新加坡在D型机升级方面非常活跃，”他表示，“他们正在考虑他们的时间表，而我们正在等待他们确定优先事项是什么。”

 “There is a very active campaign in Singapore for the D-model upgrade,” he said. “They are looking at their timeline and we are waiting to see what their priorities are.”

他补充称，波音将在“数周”后完成对新加坡20架Apache飞机的部分升级工作，包括卫星通信和防御套件，这些升级后的平台也将按照E标准进行改制。

He added that Boeing’s work to upgrade some of Singapore’s fleet of 20 Apaches with satellite communications and defensive suites will be complete in “weeks” and these upgraded platforms also will be remanufactured to the E standard.

日本尽管有一个60架飞机的长期AH-X计划，也极有可能采用FMS的方式来升级自己的12架AH-64D飞机，Jamision认为如果选择Apache机型的话，这个数字可能会下降到48架。尽管如此，该公司当前的目标是达成升级协议。

Japan also is likely to go the FMS route to upgrade its 12 AH-64Ds, and although it has a long-term AH-X program for 60 aircraft, Jamision thinks that number could drop to 48 if the Apache is chosen. Nonetheless, the company’s immediate goal is to secure the upgrade deal.

AH-64E改制过程包括集成Link-16数据链、改进T700-GE-701D发动机、新型传动装置、无人机系统认证以及配备具有16公里（10英里）射程范围和海军侦察及交战能力的第6版软件的AN/APG-78 Longbow炮瞄雷达。

The AH-64E remanufacture process includes the integration of a Link-16 datalink, improved T700-GE-701D engines, new transmission, certification with unmanned aircraft systems and the AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar with Version 6 software that has range of 16 km (10 mi.) and naval detection and engagement capability.

《Aviation Daily》为关注商业航空的高管提供真知灼见。每天获取航空公司和机场策略、主要航空公司的数据快照、票价数据以及国际覆盖率。点击此处查看有关Aviation Daily更多消息 ，并申请产品样品。