[quote][b][url=/v3/forum/europe-14/topic/royal-air-force-royaume-uni-343/?post=6710#post-6710]ex-trident[/url] a dit le 25/11/2008 à 15:40 :[/b]

[quote]

Apaches Fit For Purpose
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Nov. 24, 2008)
 	
	Several national media outlets have reported that fewer than one in three Apache attack helicopters are 'fit for purpose'. The Apache helicopter is exceedingly fit for purpose in theatre and is fully delivering the required capability.

Helicopters and aircraft are technologically advanced pieces of equipment. Due to the harsh nature of operations the helicopters require some servicing to be conducted while they are in use on the front line. Priority is always given to operational commitments.

Our helicopters are meeting all operational tasks and training requirements. Our maintenance programmes are flexible enough to ensure that we continue to meet these demands.

The MOD is planning to invest over £6billion in helicopters over the next 10 years, a substantial investment by any yardstick. Over this period we intend to invest approximately £2.5billion in enhancements to our current helicopter fleet and ensure that it continues to meet emerging operational requirements. Under current plans this work will include modernisation of our Merlin, Puma and Sea King Medium Lift helicopters, our Chinook Heavy Lift helicopters, and our Apache Attack Helicopters.

In parallel we intend to invest approximately £3.5billion in procuring new helicopters. Under current plans this will include the procurement of Future Lynx, to replace the Royal Navy and Army's current Lynx helicopters, and of a Future Medium Helicopter which will begin to replace our Puma and Sea King Medium Lift helicopters in the latter part of the next decade.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: On Nov. 23, the Sunday Telegraph reported that “Of the 67 now in service with the Army Air Corps, just 20 are available for combat in Afghanistan or for training pilots in the United Kingdom. (.../...)
“The heat and dust of the Helmand desert and the constant use of the aircraft on combat operations has started to degrade the fighting capability of the entire fleet, according to defence sources.
“The highly sophisticated aircraft requires many hours of servicing every month and the arduous conditions in southern Afghanistan, where temperatures in the summer can reach 45C, dramatically shortens the life of the engine and the Apache's rotor blades.
“The Apache has flown hundreds of missions since troops first arrived in Helmand in 2006, when it was used in combat for the first time. Although the Taliban have often targeted the aircraft, none have so far been shot down.
“Details released by the Ministry of Defence in answer to a parliamentary question submitted by the Conservative Party show that just 53 per cent of the 40 strong Chinook fleet, which provides vital support in Helmand, are regarded as "fit for purpose".)

-ends- [/quote]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=100056&session=dae.43104166.1227623352.VdFTDH8AAAEAAEJ8GGMAAAAP&modele=release

[url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=100050&session=dae.43104166.1227623352.VdFTDH8AAAEAAEJ8GGMAAAAP&modele=release]AgustaWestland Delivers M-TADS Equipped Apache AH Mk.1s[/url][/quote]