Editing Boeing AH-64 Apache (section)

===Further development===
During the 1980s, McDonnell Douglas studied an AH-64B, featuring an updated cockpit, new [[fire control system]] and other upgrades. In 1988, funding was approved for a multi-stage upgrade program to improve sensor and weapon systems.<ref>{{cite news |title=Helicopter Contract Awarded |publisher=Prescott Courier |date=17 August 1988}}</ref> Technological advance led to the program's cancellation in favor of more ambitious changes. In August 1990, development of the AH-64D Apache Longbow was approved by the [[Defense Acquisition Board]]. The first AH-64D prototype flew on 15 April 1992.<ref name="Donald_p150-3">Donald 2004, pp. 150–153.</ref> Prototype testing ended in April 1995. During testing, six AH-64D helicopters were pitted against a bigger group of AH-64As. The results demonstrated the AH-64D to have a sevenfold increase in survivability and fourfold increase in lethality compared to the AH-64A.<ref>[http://military.discovery.com/tv-shows/great-planes/videos/great-planes-the-deadly-apache.htm "Great Planes: Apache Helicopter"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117140912/http://military.discovery.com/tv-shows/great-planes/videos/great-planes-the-deadly-apache.htm |date=17 January 2013}}. Military Channel</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-16790134/dod-halts-apache-longbow.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720084317/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-16790134/dod-halts-apache-longbow.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2012 |title=DOD Halts Apache Longbow Tests Early |work=Defense Daily |last=Foote |first=Sheila |date=4 April 1995}}</ref><ref name="Donald_p156-8">Donald 2004, pp. 156–158.</ref> On 13 October 1995, full-scale production was approved;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17609179/dod-approves-production-longbow.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718091721/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17609179/dod-approves-production-longbow.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2012 |title=DoD Approves Production of Longbow Apache Attack Helicopter |work=Defense Daily |last=Foote |first=Sheila |date=16 October 1995}}</ref> a $1.9-billion five-year contract was signed in August 1996 to upgrade 232 AH-64As into AH-64Ds.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-18589330/army-inks-1-9.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723085951/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-18589330/army-inks-1-9.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2012 |title=Army Inks $1.9 Billion AH-64D Apache Deal |work=Defense Daily |last=Caires |first=Greg |date=19 August 1996}}</ref> On 17 March 1997, the first production AH-64D flew. It was delivered on 31 March.<ref>Eden, Paul, ed. "Boeing AH-64 Apache". ''Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft''. Amber Books, 2004. {{ISBN|1-904687-84-9}}.</ref>

[[File:RNLAF AH-64 Apache at the Oirschotse Heide Low Flying Area (36570605232).jpg|thumb|RNLAF AH-64 Apache in flight]]
Portions of the Apache are produced by other aerospace firms. [[AgustaWestland]] has produced a number of components for the Apache both for the international market and for the [[British Army]]'s [[AgustaWestland Apache]].<ref name ='brit comp'>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8594402.stm |title=Ensure Israel arms curbs, say MPs |work=BBC News |date=30 March 2010}}</ref> Since 2004, [[Korea Aerospace Industries]] has been the sole manufacturer of the Apache's fuselage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6712/is_33_217/ai_n28996439/ |title=KAI Signs Cooperation Agreement With Boeing, To Produce Apache Fuselages |publisher=Defense Daily |date=20 February 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904034814/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6712/is_33_217/ai_n28996439/ |archive-date= 4 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreaaero.com/english/business/fuselage_01.asp |title=F-15/Apache Fuselage Monopolization Program |publisher=Korea Aerospace Industries |access-date=21 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809130914/http://www.koreaaero.com/english/business/fuselage_01.asp |archive-date=9 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Lisa |url=http://www.boeing.com/apachenews/2009/issue_01/news_s1_p2.html |title=Boeing celebrates milestone: 100th AH-64D Apache fuselage delivery |publisher=Boeing |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220081818/http://www.boeing.com/apachenews/2009/issue_01/news_s1_p2.html |archive-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> Fuselage production had previously been performed by [[Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical]]. The transfer of fuselage production led to a prolonged legal dispute between Teledyne Ryan and Boeing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/arbitrator-will-rule-on-ah-64-fuselage-production-dispute-35308/ |title=Arbitrator will rule on AH-64 fuselage production dispute |website=FlightGlobal |date=8 April 1998}}</ref>

The AH-64D program cost a total of $11 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=11000000000|start_year=2007}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) through 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deagel.com/Combat-Helicopters/AH-64D-Apache-Longbow_a000519003.aspx |title=AH-64D Apache Longbow |publisher=Deagel.com |access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref> In April 2006, Boeing was awarded a $67.6 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=67600000|start_year=2006}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) fixed-price contract for the remanufacture of several existing U.S. AH-64As to the AH-64D configuration. Between May 2009 and July 2011, a further five contracts were issued to remanufacture batches of AH-64As into AH-64Ds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/115b-contract-to-remanufacture-129-apaches-to-ah64d-longbow-configuration-02972/ |title=Boeing Remanufactures AH-64A Apaches to AH-64D Block II |publisher=defenseindustrydaily.com |date=21 July 2011}}</ref> Since 2008, nations operating the older Apaches have been urged to undertake modernization programs as support for the AH-64A is withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Hoyle |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/10/15/317276/greece-urged-to-commit-to-apache-upgrade-as-air-force-eyes-new-utility.html |title=Greece urged to commit to Apache upgrade, as air force eyes new utility model |website=FlightGlobal |date=15 October 2008}}</ref>

By May 2019, Boeing tested in a [[wind tunnel]] a [[Compound helicopter|compound]] Apache scale model with a [[pusher propeller]], a small wing to increase range and speed, and a counter-torque [[tail rotor]] like the cancelled [[Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne]] of the 1960s.<!--<ref name=Flight17may2019>--> It competed for the U.S. Army's [[Future Long Range Assault Aircraft]] (FLRAA) unveiled in April, developed from the [[Future Vertical Lift]] Capability Set 3 (medium rotorcraft) without the attack requirement, while the U.S. Army's [[Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft|FARA]] should replace the retired [[Bell OH-58 Kiowa]] scout and up to half of the AH-64 fleet.<ref name=Flight17may2019>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-suggests-propulsor-winged-ah-64-apache-varia-458248/ |title= Boeing suggests propulsor, winged AH-64 Apache variant for US Army |date= 17 May 2019 |author= Garrett Reim |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref>