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Apache in the News
Boeing celebrates milestone: 100th AH-64D Apache fuselage delivery
By Lisa Dunbar
Boeing Photo
The Apache program recently celebrated the delivery of the 100th fuselage from its supplier Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Korea.
In June 2009, representatives from Boeing Supplier Management, the Apache Program Office, and the Apache Airframe IPT organization attended a ceremony in Sacheon, Korea. They presented a banner, framed Apache poster, and gave special recognition to the group of employees that support the build of the Apache fuselage. KAI builds Apache fuselages as part of an Industrial Participation offset program for the F-15K. Current orders are for international customers and U.S. Army Wartime replacement aircraft with potential to build an additional 42 more fuselages for Apache international customers over the next few years.
“This is an incredible milestone for KAI, Boeing and the Apache customers in the United States and around the world that are flying the fuselages you are building,” Travis Williams, Boeing manager for the Apache Wartime Replacement Aircraft program, told an audience of company employees and key leadership in Korea. Williams also thanked KAI for its dedication in delivering high quality Apache fuselages on schedule since the first fuselage delivery in 2003.
Steve Schwartz, senior manager, Apache Supplier Management, emphasized the strong partnership between Boeing and KAI and the fact that KAI has kept commitments and promises to Boeing. “I am proud of the work that’s been accomplished” Williams said. “I am proud to know that together we are meeting and exceeding customer expectations.” Upon returning to Mesa, Schwartz was asked about the importance of this celebration and the contribution of KAI. He stated “sometimes in order to achieve continuous growth, the international marketplace is where the company must go to sell or buy products. When we work cooperatively with our customers and their business bases, it will mean jobs and opportunities for our Boeing Rotorcraft teams to build more Apaches and Chinooks”. He also stated “While these types of international off-set programs may not bring work directly to Boeing Rotorcraft, they are great for the long-term stability of the workforce in Philadelphia and Mesa”. In regards to KAI, “our relationship with KAI is that we not only achieve a significant level of credit for an International Off-Set, KAI provides a solid product at a very competitive value that helps to keep the Apache affordable to many of our customers”. Schwartz concluded “Keeping our products affordable, increases our sales, which in the long term creates jobs for Boeing Rotorcraft.”