The US Army and Boeing have made the cautious decision to revert to older generators for the AH-64E Apache helicopters following incidents of cockpit smoke that raised safety concerns for pilots. Despite the technological step back, the move is seen as a crucial measure to ensure the well-being of the service members and the operational readiness of the fleet.
The issue began to emerge with the Honeywell -11 generator, an upgraded model that was intended to enhance the Apache’s performance. However, this upgrade led to a series of “potentially hazardous flight conditions and precautionary landings,” as disclosed by the Pentagon in Selected Acquisition Reports last fall.
The malfunctions were severe enough to fill the cockpits with smoke, causing “breathing and visibility problems” for the pilots, yet, importantly, they did not lead to any accidents or a fleet grounding.
Addressing this, a Program Executive Office Aviation spokesman confirmed, “A long-term solution is under investigation. Engineering effort will commence once the program is funded.”
In the interim, a temporary modification was introduced to automatically shut down the failing -11 generator upon detecting a fault.
However, a more enduring approach has now been adopted. The Army is transitioning back to the previously installed Honeywell -7 generator model while a next-generation generator is being sought.
John Chicoli, the director of Boeing’s global services for vertical lift and special operations, emphasized that the transition would happen through attrition to maintain operational readiness.
“We’ve seen some improvement … and so readiness is there: We have enough retrofit generators right now [and] it’s not impacting readiness,” said Chicoli at a conference outside Denver, Colo.
On the front of finding a lasting solution, Boeing is investing resources into researching a suitable next-generation generator.
Christina Upah, Boeing’s vice president and program manager for attack helicopter programs, explained that the company is heading up the hunt and will present the service with its findings and recommendations. Army officials will ultimately decide if and how to proceed, including which aircraft variants should receive the new generator and how to test it out ahead of fielding.
The AH-64E Apache, a powerful asset in the US Army’s arsenal, is designed to deliver lethal firepower and perform in various combat roles.
This includes close air support, armed reconnaissance, and anti-tank warfare capabilities. The Apache’s versatility and power have earned it a place in the military forces of the US, Israel, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and the UK, making its reliability and safety paramount.
Boeing and the Army’s proactive response illustrates the importance of balancing performance advancements with uncompromised safety.
As the search for a next-generation generator continues, the Army and Boeing demonstrate a commitment to innovation, while not losing sight of the pressing need to maintain the highest standards of pilot safety and aircraft readiness.
The adaptation to this unexpected challenge reinforces the value of thorough testing for military equipment and the readiness to respond with swift, albeit sometimes regressive, solutions to maintain the effectiveness of critical defense assets like the Apache helicopter.
Relevant articles:
– Smoke-Filled Cockpits Prompt Return to Older Generators for Apache Helicopters, SOFREP
– 64E Apache generators, eyes new generator options, Breaking Defense
– Apache Choppers Returning to Old Power Generators After Multiple Failures, The Defense Post