Apache Longbow Will Be Fielded Without Required Communication Capability

At initial operational capability in October 1998, the Apache Longbow will not be able to meet the requirement to transfer target data to other helicopters when out of line of sight, as required. The 50-percent reduction in planned radio procurement quantities will result in decreased lethality of the Apache Longbow fleet due to the inability to transfer target data between Apache Longbow helicopters. Also, the fleet’s survivability will be decreased because of the helicopter’s greater exposure to hostile forces. Conclusions

The Army’s 227 radar-equipped Apache Longbow helicopters will be too heavy to achieve the validated VROC requirement of 450 feet per minute in the combat mission configuration when carrying a full fuel load and 12 missiles. According to the ORD, if the VROC requirement is not met, the helicopters will not have acceptable levels of maneuverability and agility to successfully operate in combat. Army plans to modify the system will add weight and therefore exacerbate this problem. The impact of increased weight on the ability of non-radar-equipped Apache Longbow helicopters to achieve VROC performance requirements is even greater because of their less-powerful engines. At initial operational capability, the Apache Longbow will not have a radio that will allow it to transfer target data between helicopters when concealed or not in the line of sight. Unresolved technical issues have delayed the radio’s development. More importantly, the Army plans to install the non-line-of-sight radio on only one-half of the total Apache Longbow helicopter fleet. The Army has identified VROC and Hellfire missile load among the most critical Apache Longbow performance characteristics—key performance parameters. 2. 3. 4.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO reviewed the Army's Apache Longbow helicopter program to determine if its operational requirements will be met, focusing on whether the Apache Longbow will meet: (1) the validated key performance requirement for vertical rate of climb (VROC); and (2) the requirement to transfer target data between Apache Longbow helicopters.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) the Apache Longbow program needs to be reassessed because the helicopter does not meet two key user requirements; (2) the Army's 227 radar-equipped Apache Longbow helicopters will be too heavy to achieve the validated VROC requirement of 450 feet per minute in the combat mission configuration when carrying the required 12 Longbow Hellfire missiles and a full fuel load; (3) as a result, the helicopters will not have acceptable levels of maneuverability and agility to successfully operate in combat; (4) even though the Apache Longbow is reported to have significantly greater overall capability than the original Apache, its VROC and corresponding maneuverability will be less than that of the original Apache; (5) Army plans to modify the system will add weight and therefore exacerbate this problem; (6) the impact of weight on the ability of non-radar-equipped Apache Longbow helicopters to achieve VROC performance requirements is even greater because of the less-powerful engines used in these helicopters; (7) at initial operational capability, the Apache Longbow will not have a radio that will allow it to transfer target data between helicopters when concealed or not in the line of sight; (8) unresolved technical issues have delayed the radio's development; (9) the Army plans to install the non-line-of-sight radio on only one-half of the total Apache Longbow helicopter fleet; and (10) the lack of this capability throughout the fleet results in an overall reduction in lethality due to the inability to transfer target data between Apache Longbow helicopters and decreased survivability caused by the greater exposure to hostile forces.