Editing AgustaWestland Apache (section)

==Development==
The requirement for a new attack helicopter was identified by the British government in the early 1990s. In 1993, invitations to bid were issued. Bids received included the [[Eurocopter Tiger]], a modernised [[Bell AH-1 SuperCobra]], the [[Boeing AH-64 Apache|AH-64 Apache]], the [[Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche]], and the [[Agusta A129 Mangusta]].<ref name= 'NYT 1995'>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/13/business/worldbusiness/13iht-chop.html?pagewanted=1 |title= U.K. Must Choose 1 of 3 Attack Copters: Pitched Battle Near Done |first= Erik |last= Ipsen |work= The New York Times |date= 13 July 1995 |access-date= 14 February 2017 |archive-date= 19 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150419190536/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/13/business/worldbusiness/13iht-chop.html?pagewanted=1 |url-status= live}}</ref> Both the Tiger, Commanche and upgraded Cobra variant required more development, and thus risk, while the Apache was combat proven, though its performance in the [[Gulf War|First Gulf War]] was criticised by competitors.<ref name= 'NYT 1995'/> Westland and the Apache was selected in July 1995, and a contract for 67 helicopters was signed in 1996.<ref name= 'Agusta 2'>AgustaWestland 2011, p. 2.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6339513_ITM |title= High Noon For Tiger And Apache |publisher= Interavia Business & Technology |first= Nick |last= Cook |date= 1 May 1995 |access-date= 3 May 2010 |archive-date= 19 July 2012 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120719050302/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6339513_ITM |url-status= live}}</ref>

{{Quote box|align=right|width=30%|quote="I have no doubt whatsoever that the Attack Helicopter will represent the biggest single enhancement to the Army's capability for many years. It will change the way we go to battle. Now we have taken the decision to buy the Apache, the Army must ensure that doctrine is developed to allow us to make the fullest possible use of its tremendous capability."|source= <small>Chief of the General Staff, General [[Charles Guthrie, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank|Sir Charles Guthrie]], 1996.<ref name='NAO 6'/></small>}}

In September 1998, Westland produced the first prototype WAH-64 Apache under licence from Boeing.<ref name= 'mcgowen 214'>Mcgowen 2005, p. 214.</ref> The first nine Apache AH1s were authorised for service by the director of British Army Aviation on 16 January 2001.<ref name= 'mcgowen 214'/> The 67th and final Apache was handed over to the British Army in July 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.agustawestland.com/node/3232 |title=British Army Receives 67th Apache In Ceremony Held At The Farnborough Air Show 2004 |publisher=AgustaWestland |date=21 July 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707095747/http://www.agustawestland.com/node/3232 |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> The helicopter fleet's cost was around £3.1 billion, with a total acquisition cost of £4.1 billion.<ref name='NAO 8'>National Audit Office 2002, p. 8.</ref>

Reliability had been questioned by US Apache operations, the entire fleet in the Balkans had been grounded due to serious tail rotor failures in 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/10/us/repairs-planned-for-army-helicopters.html |title= Repairs Planned For Army Helicopters |publisher= New York Press |date= 10 November 1999 |access-date= 14 February 2017 |archive-date= 2 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170702212425/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/10/us/repairs-planned-for-army-helicopters.html |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F55000022413A5A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= Some Apaches To Be Grounded 10 Months |work= Fayetteville Observer |date= 11 November 1999 |access-date= 1 June 2011 |archive-date= 8 June 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608182629/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F55000022413A5A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status= live}}</ref> In 1998, the [[AN/APG-78 Longbow]] radar's development ran into problems regarding its weight, impact upon overall agility, and data transfer abilities.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-98-203 |title= Army Aviation: Apache Longbow Weight and Communication Issues |publisher= U.S. Government Accountability Office |date= 15 September 1998 |access-date= 2 June 2011 |archive-date= 6 February 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110206091144/http://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-98-203 |url-status= live}}</ref> These problems with key aircraft components, and fleet's high cost, led to calls for its cancellation in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60433589.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121104013646/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60433589.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 4 November 2012 |title= UK set to axe Apache |first= Kevin |last= Maguire |work= Daily Mirror |date= 4 August 1999}}</ref>

When the requirement for the Apache had been formalised in the early 1990s, military doctrine assumed that a large conventional armoured assault from the [[Eastern Bloc]] was Britain's main threat. Following the collapse and break-up of the Soviet Union, the concepts of flexibility and rapid response took precedence.<ref name='NAO 6'>National Audit Office 2002, p. 6.</ref> The UK's [[Strategic Defence Review (1998)|Strategic Defence Review]] called for Apaches to undertake amphibious attack missions, operating from the [[helicopter carrier]] {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}}, the {{sclass|Invincible|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft carriers (all since retired) and their successors, the {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier|0}} aircraft carriers, and possibly the amphibious assault vessels {{HMS|Bulwark|L15|6}} and {{HMS|Albion|L14|2}}.<ref>National Audit Office 2002, pp. 9, 22–23.</ref> Each squadron equipped with the Apache should have eight operational aircraft.<ref>Heyman 2005, p. 114.</ref>

The Westland Apache experienced delays in entering service due to complications with the modifications made for British service.<ref name= 'NAO 7'>National Audit Office 2002, p. 7.</ref> Prior to the Apache entering service in 2004, several development problems were noted, including a lack of the ability to securely communicate with other helicopters and a risk of damage to the tail rotor and airframe from firing its Hellfire missiles.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1411721/Warning-over-Apache-helicopter-failings.html |title= Warning over Apache helicopter failings |work= The Telegraph |first= Michael |last= Smith |date= 31 October 2002 |access-date= 2 April 2018 |archive-date= 19 November 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181119051555/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1411721/Warning-over-Apache-helicopter-failings.html |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/18/military.immigrationpolicy |title= Helicopters 'at risk' of friendly fire |work= The Guardian |first= David |last= Hencke |date= 18 November 2003 |access-date= 16 December 2016 |archive-date= 23 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170423065828/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/18/military.immigrationpolicy |url-status= live}}</ref> The problem with using the Hellfire was debris generated by the firing of missiles, both the Hellfire and CRV7 rockets, could strike the body of the aircraft and cause damage; resolving this issue created a delay to training programmes.<ref name='NAO 8'/> These problems were corrected prior to entering service, a secure communications suite was installed and Hellfire missiles are routinely fired by Apaches.<ref name='official'>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/aircraft/1531.aspx |title=Apache |publisher=British Army |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315075815/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/aircraft/1531.aspx |archive-date=15 March 2010}}</ref><ref name= 'bis 47'>Bishop and Laurier 2005, p. 47.</ref> In 2002, government sources stated that full operational capability was set to be achieved by 2010.<ref name= 'NAO 22'>National Audit Office 2002, p. 22.</ref>

In 2005, an out-of-service date for the Apache was forecast at 2030.<ref>{{cite web |first= Craig |last= Hoyle |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/05/31/198702/british-army-stands-up-first-apache-regiment.html |title= British Army stands up first Apache regiment |work= Flight International |date= 31 May 2005}}</ref> Various options were considered for maintaining the capability:
*A capability sustainment programme (CSP) to extend the existing fleet's life to 2040.<ref name=Hoyle20131128>{{cite web |first= Craig |last= Hoyle |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-weighing-options-for-apache-attack-helicopter-upgrade-379558/ |title= UK weighing options for Apache attack helicopter upgrade |work= Flight International |date= 28 November 2012 |access-date= 6 November 2013 |archive-date= 10 November 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131110180608/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-weighing-options-for-apache-attack-helicopter-upgrade-379558/ |url-status= live}}</ref> 
*Buying new Block III helicopters 
*Remanufacturing to AH-64E standard, i.e. putting the existing engines and avionics into new airframes.<ref name=Jennings20131030>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/29255/adex-2013-us-sequestration-buys-time-for-uk-apache-decision-makers |title=ADEX 2013: US sequestration buys time for UK Apache decision makers |first=Gareth |last=Jennings |newspaper=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly |date=30 October 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112005739/http://www.janes.com/article/29255/adex-2013-us-sequestration-buys-time-for-uk-apache-decision-makers |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2015, the UK requested the upgrade of 50 of its Apaches to AH-64E standard through a US [[Foreign Military Sales|Foreign Military Sale]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-kingdom-ah-64e-apache-guardian-attack-helicopters |title= United Kingdom – AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopters |publisher= Defense Security Cooperation Agency |access-date= 29 August 2015 |archive-date= 5 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150905090145/http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-kingdom-ah-64e-apache-guardian-attack-helicopters |url-status= live}}</ref> The order was confirmed in 2016,<ref>{{Citation |work = Defense news |date = 11 July 2016 |url = https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/farnborough/2016/07/11/uk-announces-p-8-apache-buys/ |title = UK announces Apache buys}}.</ref> with the contract for remanufacturing of the first 38 awarded in 2017 and the remaining 12 in 2019.<ref>{{Citation |date = May 2017 |title = Helicopters AH-64 rebuild |work = Military aerospace |url = https://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2017/05/helicopters-ah-64-rebuild.html |access-date = 21 April 2019 |archive-date = 21 April 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190421011200/https://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2017/05/helicopters-ah-64-rebuild.html |url-status = live}}.</ref><ref name= 'remanu'>{{cite news |last= Jennings |first= Gareth |date= 10 March 2020 |title= UK now has all 50 AH-64E Apaches under contract |url= https://www.janes.com/article/94804/uk-now-has-all-50-ah-64e-apaches-under-contract |work= Jane's |access-date= 4 April 2020 |archive-date= 28 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200328061102/https://www.janes.com/article/94804/uk-now-has-all-50-ah-64e-apaches-under-contract |url-status= live}}</ref>  [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]] Helicopters continued to lead the support to the Apache AH1s until they were retired from service in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-orders-new-fleet-of-cutting-edge-apache-helicopters-for-army |title=MOD orders new fleet of cutting-edge Apache helicopters for Army |publisher=UK Ministry of Defence |date=11 July 2016 |access-date=11 July 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712141508/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-orders-new-fleet-of-cutting-edge-apache-helicopters-for-army |url-status=live}}</ref>  The Apache AH1 was remanufactured by Boeing to become AH-64E Version 6 aircraft with US engines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/11/new-apache-helicopter/|title=Apache AH-64E heralds new era in modern British military aviation|access-date=30 November 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201053231/https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/11/new-apache-helicopter/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK receives first remanufactured AH-64E Apache helos |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-receives-first-remanufactured-ah-64e-apache-helos |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Australian Army]] purchased two retired AgustaWestland Apaches in 2024. The helicopters will be used as non-flying training aids ahead of the delivery of AH-64E Apaches to the Army. Both helicopters were transported from the UK to the US in March 2024 to be modified to ground training airframes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pittaway |first1=Nigel |title=Army buys former UK Apaches |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/army-buys-former-uk-apaches |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Australian Defence Magazine |date=4 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>