Wattisham Flying Station unveils new attack helicopters creating extra 45 jobs
The British Army at Wattisham Flying station have unveiled their state of the art attack helicopters yesterday creating an extra 45 skilled jobs supporting apache at the Suffolk base.
The fleet of 14 new AH-64E Apache helicopters are currently undergoing flight tests in Suffolk, with 36 more helicopters due to arrive by the summer of 2024.
This is part of a $2.3 billion deal with Boeing which is set to support hundreds of jobs across the 20-year agreement.
The old MK1 Apache helicopters are making way for the new Apache fleet - among the most advanced attack choppers in the world, boasting a top speed of 300kmh, a range of 10 miles, and capable of detecting 256 potential targets at once.
The new fleet will be fully operational early next year.
Colonel David Amlot, deputy commander attack, first aviation brigade combat team and Wattisham Flying Station commander said: "We're the first regiment to receive the new aircrafts and train on them.
"We stopped flying the old Apaches last year and my engineers and air crew have been going out to America learning to fly the new one.
"Now that the new Apaches are here at Wattisham, we will start flying over the next couple of weeks and doing lots of collective training so that we're back delivering defence outputs."
As for the old MK1 Apaches, Colonel Amlot explained that they will be scrapped and used as materials.
"The old Apaches will go through a process of re-manufacturing, so they'll get sent back to Boeing in America and Boeing will then take bits off it which can be used again and bin what they don't need."
Among those to be sent out to America was 24-year-old corporal Craig Veryard who says there is a massive difference between the two models.
He said: "In terms of the avionics, as I am an avionics supervisor, it is completely a generational leap from the MK1 Apache. The avionics package is completely different from the previous platform.
"It would be the same as comparing an iPhone fours to the latest iphone today," he added.
Corporal Veryard went on to say being part of the introduction to a new fleet has been a memorable experience.
"It's just great to be at the forefront of army aviation. This is an experience that will always stay with us.
"It's not often that you get to bring an aircraft into service as we are. I think the last Apache brought out was in the early 2000s."
Jeremy Quin, defence procurement minister said in his speech: "We invest a huge amount of money in our defence, we have to. The scale of the threat is significant and, unfortunately, growing. We are determined to invest the amount of money we need to meet that challenge.
"These Apaches don't simply magnify our capabilities, they also deliver a prosperity bonus.
"Thanks to a 20-year support contract with Boeing Defence UK, we're able to support more than 200 skilled jobs in the UK, including 45 right here in Wattisham.
"With the acquisition of our AH-64Es, we'll be adding proud new chapters to an intrepid history, sending a signal from Suffolk to allies and adversaries alike, that during uncertain times we will continue keeping our nation safe and prosperous no matter what comes our way."
