Leonardo has announced it has been awarded a contract by the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide the Apache AH Mk.1 attack helicopter fleet with comprehensive support and maintenance services. The Apache Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract is valued at approximately £293 million (approximately US$379 million) and will continue to support the Apache AH Mk.1 attack helicopter fleet from April 1, 2019, until the aircraft goes out of service in 2024.
During a visit to Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Yeovil on Jan. 17, Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said, “The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield support to U.K. and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model into service in 2022.”
Geoff Munday, Leonardo Helicopters’ managing director in the U.K., said, “We are pleased that we have been awarded the contract to support the Apache AH Mk.1 fleet up to the planned out of service date and that the minister has taken the time to visit us here in Yeovil to see first-hand the unique and exceptional capabilities we have here in the U.K.”
Under the contract Apache IOS prime contractor Leonardo, through the involvement of its helicopter and electronics divisions, will continue to be supported by its industrial partners Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International to deliver complete spares provisioning, engineering, depth maintenance, repair and overhaul, and technical support services for the U.K. MoD’s fleet of Apache AH Mk.1 helicopters.
At Wattisham Airfield, the British Army’s main Apache AH Mk.1 operating base, Leonardo will continue to manage the Depth Support Unit and the associated workshops, ensuring the throughput of the facility matches the operational requirements of the Army Air Corps.
At Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop, Leonardo will continue to be responsible for the provision of Apache aircraft on the flight line at the School of Army Aviation, delivering the required number of flight hours to match the Army’s training requirements.
The Apache IOS program office, manned by industry and Ministry of Defence staff, located at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility, will continue to manage the IOS contract. The Apache IOS contract will deliver the required levels of aircraft availability while reducing through-life costs.
Leonardo also provides support and training services for the UK MoD’s AW159 Wildcat helicopter fleet under the Wildcat Integrated Support and Training (WIST) contract and for the AW101 Merlins under the Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract.
