Leonardo’s DAS for UK’s new AH-64E helicopters
Leonardo has received a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a defensive aids suite (DAS) for the British Army’s new fleet of AH-64E Apache helicopters, the company announced on 3 April.
Every Apache AH-64E has a built-in Leonardo DAS computer known as an Aircraft Gateway Processor. Under this project Leonardo will take the DAS one step further by integrating a number of sensors and countermeasure systems onto the UK AH-64E to enhance its situational awareness and survivability.
An integrated DAS helps protect a helicopter from threats in a joined-up way. A complete system includes sensors to identify threats to the helicopter, countermeasures to defeat these threats and a computer that coordinates the whole system, linking the incoming warnings with protection techniques such as chaff or flares.
The helicopters’ sensor fit will include Leonardo's UK-specific SG200-D radar warning and will re-use a number of systems that are currently on-board the army’s fleet of Apache AH Mk1 including Leonardo’s S1223 laser warning receiver, BAE Systems' AN/AAR-57 missile approach warner and Thales' Vicon countermeasure dispensing system.
Integration will be conducted by Leonardo in Luton and the complete system will then be installed by Boeing on its AH-64E production line in US. All 50 helicopters being procured by the UK MoD will be capable of operating with the integrated DAS.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
