Quick chat with boeing’s pratyush kumar
SP’s Aviation posed a set of quick queries to Pratyush Kumar, President, Boeing India in a follow up to the latest deal of six Apache for the Indian Army. He outlined the details as under:
SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How will the Apaches benefit Indian Army? Pratyush Kumar (Pratyush): The AH-64 Apache is the most capable multi-role combat helicopter, combining performance and lethality with more affordable and efficient maintenance. With India’s 10,907 km-long border that runs through hard and varied terrain, the AH-64E Apache can provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops and antitank role to destroy enemy armor. The Apache AH-64E for the Indian Army will have the latest technology insertions that make it a lethal attack helicopter.
The Apache is the only available combat helicopter featuring a spectrum of capabilities to meet virtually any of the Indian Army’s mission requirements. The Apache, with its proven all-terrain mastery, is capable of giving more teeth to India’s military might. It is uniquely suited to meet the commander’s needs, including reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, and lethal attack — in both land and littoral environments — all without reconfiguration.
Boeing welcomes the opportunity to support the Indian Army on their requirements. With this development, we look forward to supporting all three Indian defense forces — the Air Force, Navy and now the Army. It’s noteworthy that under Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, AH-64 Apache fuselages and other aero structures are being manufactured at the Tata Boeing Aerospace joint venture facility in Hyderabad.
SP’s: What all capabilities will come with each machine for the Army?
Pratyush: Please contact the MoD for this.
SP’s: What kind of edge Apaches will give to Indian Army versus the armies in the neighborhood operating different types?
Pratyush: The Apache’s application range is unmatched and ranges across spectrum of conflict. It has been used time and again by the US Army as well as international customers for military and training operations to peace enforcement, humanitarian relief, disaster relief, national defense and counter special operations forces.
The Apache represents the best of high-performing technologies that will boost the Indian Army’s combat capabilities
The improved drive system features a new split-torque face gear transmission that increases power capability to 3,400 shaft horsepower. The new composite main rotor blade accommodates the power increase, resulting in improved aircraft performance with increased payload.
The aircraft capabilities features increased digitisation, the joint tactical radio system, enhanced engines and drive systems, capability to control UAVs and new composite rotor blade. The new blades, which successfully completed flight testing in May 2004, helps increase the Apache’s cruise speed, climb rate and payload capability. Apache has a strong shell made of composite fibres to protect the pilots from bullets.
Integrating the T700-GE-701D engine with the enhanced digital electronic control unit and other drive system technologies results in an increase in hover ceiling altitude at greater gross weight on a 95-degree Fahrenheit day. The twin-engine tandem seat Apache is operated by two pilots, and can execute an attack within 30 seconds of an alert.
The Apache can be equipped with air-to-air missiles and the advanced precision kill weapon system rockets. The Longbow Apache carries the combination of armaments chosen for the particular mission. In the close support role, the helicopter carries 16 Hellfire missiles on four four-rail launchers and four air-to-air missiles. The Longbow Apache’s radar dome is unmasked for a single radar scan and then re-masked.
SP’s: What all roles these version of Apaches can play?
Pratyush: The Apache is the only available combat helicopter with a spectrum of capabilities for virtually any mission requirement. It is uniquely suited to meet the commander’s needs, including reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, and lethal attack — in both land and littoral environments—all without reconfiguration.