Apache Needs Cockpit Upgrades, AATD Says

Apache Needs Cockpit Upgrades, AATD Says
Aviation Week's DTI

Bettina H. Chavanne | October 30, 2008

This article first appeared in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- If the U.S. Army's Apache AH-64D Longbow aircraft is to keep pace with its own manned-unmanned common architecture program, it will require extensive technological upgrades to the cockpit, according to the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), a driving force behind the technology.

The issue was raised Oct. 29 during a presentation on the Apache modernization program that highlighted the Army's success in fielding the VUIT-2 system (video from unmanned aircraft systems for interoperability teaming - level 2). The first prototype battalion equipped with the capability, which allows an Apache to receive streaming video from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is testing the program in Iraq.

"AATD is providing manned-unmanned (MUM) capability to the cockpit, but it wasn't built for this mission," said Ray Wall, chief of AATD's Systems Integration Division. "You need a different concept of a fourth-generation cockpit to totally utilize what MUM is now and what will evolve. Is that in the Apache's vision?"

Wall contended that with Level IV capability around the corner -- which will place control of the UAV in the hands of the Apache pilot -- "it could get a little ugly." The workload for the pilot will only increase, particularly based on the number of "button pushes on your current system," Wall added. "There's technology that needs to be [improved]."

Army representative and Apache program manager Lt. Col. Rob Johnston said simply that the Apache's cockpit "is what it is," in part because troops deployed with VUIT-2 have not had a chance to provide feedback on the system's performance in theater.

Lockheed Martin is developing the Level IV for the Block III Apache. This includes a Ku-band Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) antenna inside a modified version of the mast-mounted radome used for the Apache's Longbow fire-control radar. This allows two-way wideband communications between the helicopter and UAV.

Col. Neil Thurgood, Army program manager for Utility Helicopters, said his division is pressing for VUIT-2 on its Black Hawks. "We should at least have it in our [medevac-configured] aircraft," he said. "We're trying to beat that drum with our medical community." Thurgood said the Army is going to demonstrate the Black Hawk's ability to field VUIT-2 within the next 60 days. "We're trying to be fast followers so we can get the capability into our Black Hawks," he added.

The program updates were part of the Army Aviation Association of America's (Quad A) 13th Helicopter Military Operations Technology Specialists' Meeting, or Helmot, here.

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Copyright 2008 Aviation Week's DTI. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.