Boeing’s new chopper to replace iconic Apache

Abu Dhabi - One version of FVL is being built by Bell and Lockheed Martin, while Boeing has teamed with Sikorsky

A flight-worthy technology demonstration version of Boeing’s highly-advanced Future Vertical Lift (FVL) project helicopter will likely be ready in 2018 or 2019, according to a company representative at Idex.
The FVL is designed to replace some of the most iconic military helicopters currently operating, such as the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk, all of which are currently in the arsenal of the UAE. Boeing’s concept for FVL is a unique coaxial dual-rotor design.
“It’s in its formative stages,” said Steve Barlage, Global Sales and Marketing, Vertical Lift.
One version of FVL is being built by Bell and Lockheed Martin, while Boeing has teamed with Sikorsky.
“Both are building flight demonstration airplanes to be flown in 2018 or 2019,” Barlage said.
The FVL might eventually replace about 4,000 airframes, Barlage added, noting that it will still be many years until the aircraft begins to be adopted operationally.
“It’s under a programme to develop a flight test vehicle. The production won’t be out until the late 2020s or early 2030s,” he added.
“The fielding is way out there....it’s a long technology demonstration program to take technologies, seeing if their applicable to this airplane, and then as the technologies are developed, maybe they can peel them back off to existing airplanes.”
“It’s a long science project, and it’s going very well,” he added.
Barlage noted that, from Boeing’s perspective, some countries are currently working to understand how best to cope with economic challenges, such as falling oil prices.
“It’s interesting times, both in Europe and in the Middle East in terms of budgets,” he said. “The Middle East is taking a cost perspective to try to understand where they’re going to be in the future in terms of oil. It’s ongoing, and we’re watching how that develops and working with our customers....it’s a regional issue here.”
“It’s not a pause in purchases, but I think they’re taking a long breath to understand what the long impact could be, not just in defence,” he added.
“I think the customers have long enough vision, they understand the need to continue (with investment in aircraft).”
bernd@khaleejtimes.com  
 -----------
Barlage noted that, from Boeing's perspective, some countries are currently working to understand how best to cope with economic challenges, such as falling oil prices.
"It's interesting times, both in Europe and in the Middle East in terms of budgets," he said. "The Middle East is taking a cost perspective to try to understand where they're going to be in the future in terms of oil. It's ongoing, and we're watching how that develops and working with our customers....it's a regional issue here."
"It's not a pause in purchases, but I think they're taking a long breath to understand what the long impact could be, not just in defence," he added. "I think the customers have long enough vision they understand the need to continue (with investment in aircraft)."

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai