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Contact:
Hal Klopper |
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Contact:
Hal Klopper |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-126
MESA, Ariz., June 2, 1997 -- McDonnell Douglas (NYSE: MD) today dedicated a new hangar that will become the training center for the U.S. Army pilots and maintenance teams that will support the AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-mission combat helicopter.
Operations in the 38,000-square-foot hangar, located at Falcon Field, just southwest of the main McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems facility in Mesa, Ariz., are scheduled to begin this month. McDonnell Douglas is the prime contractor for the U.S. Army's Apache Longbow remanufacturing program, which is turning the Army's combat-proven AH-64A Apache into the next-generation version, the AH-64D Apache Longbow.
While in Mesa, U.S. Army pilots receive academic and simulator training from McDonnell Douglas Training and Support Systems and then move into actual aircraft under the guidance of U.S. Army instructor pilots trained by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems. The first class of 15 U.S. Army initial key personnel graduated May 2 after completing training at the main McDonnell Douglas facility in Mesa.
Over the next two years, 20 classes of more than 200 Army Apache Longbow aviators, 60 instructor pilots and 30 maintenance test pilots will be trained in the facility, designated Bldg. 620, which includes 8,000 square feet for flight operations, administrative offices and maintenance backshop support. Two 15,000-square-foot bays have been designed to accommodate up to 12 AH-64Ds.
Additionally, 37 classes of more than 600 maintenance personnel will be trained at the new McDonnell Douglas facility over the next three years. Dedicated training areas in the hangar will allow McDonnell Douglas Training and Support Systems instructors to demonstrate maintenance techniques for all areas of the Apache Longbow, including its avionics and electronic systems, engines, hydraulic system and power train.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow is being developed by a team that includes the U.S. Army, McDonnell Douglas as total systems integrator and a joint venture comprised of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to provide the Longbow Fire Control Radar and the radar frequency Hellfire missile.