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80-654: The AgustaWestland Apache is a licence-built version of the Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter for the British Army Air Corps . The first eight helicopters were built by Boeing ; the remaining 59 were assembled by Westland Helicopters (later AgustaWestland ) at Yeovil , Somerset in England from Boeing-supplied kits. Changes from the AH-64D include Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 engines ,

160-481: A Hellfire missile to destroy an abandoned French vehicle to protect sensitive equipment. The Apache quickly became a highly valued tool against insurgents, able to rapidly respond to Taliban forces on the ground. Major Huw Williams, second in command of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment , stated that: "We're really impressed [with the Apache]. It's a very effective beast." It has been noted that Taliban forces refer to

240-521: A cluster bomb ; each rocket contained nine M73 submunitions. In May 2008, several senior officers, such as General David Ramsbotham spoke out against British plans to keep the weapon. In the same month, Britain, as one of the 111 participating nations, agreed to ban cluster bombs on humanitarian grounds . Britain destroyed the last of its CRV7 MPSMs in July 2009. Like the US AH-64D Apache Longbow,

320-722: A 100% success rate. On 27 May 2011, military officials announced that Apaches would be deployed as part of Operation Ellamy , the ongoing military intervention in Libya . The helicopters operated from the flight deck of HMS Ocean in conjunction with French Eurocopter Tiger helicopters over Misrata . The Apaches were also to assist in Operation Unified Protector , the enforcement of an embargo and no-fly zone upon Libya. On 14 June 2011, reports of British preparation to evacuate Yemen emerged, involving Apache and Merlin helicopters operating from Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels off

400-516: A British Apache fired a thermobaric Hellfire missile; the controversial usage of such weapons was approved after extensive legal and ethical evaluations within the MoD. In June 2008, a Taliban leader and several cell members were killed in Helmand Province by a Hellfire missile launched by an Apache of the 664 Army Air Corps. There was a friendly fire incident in July 2008, in which an Apache fired upon

480-564: A French license were not to be exported to other foreign nations without its express approval. Yet another form of common licensing restriction related solely to the licensing activity, regulating whether the specified product was fully produced or partly assembled, and whether entire products or their individual components were manufactured. The governments of Germany and Switzerland imposed similar restrictions on military vehicles manufactured in Argentina and Chile under license. In some cases,

560-617: A NATO winter war games exercise due to take place in northern Norway in March 2012. In April, she also took part in Exercise 'Joint Warrior' with several other British and foreign vessels including the aircraft carrier HMS  Illustrious off the coast of Scotland . She was part of the COUGAR 13 task group, with the Commander UK Task Group and his staff embarked on board. She was visited by

640-452: A Royal Engineer, strapped to the stub-wings of two Apaches. The helicopters could not travel above 50 mph to ensure the safety of the extra passengers from rotor downwash . The Apaches landed under fire inside the compound, after which the rescuers dismounted and recovered the body of LCpl Ford. Ford's body was flown out in the same manner that the soldiers arrived. Another Apache hovered above, providing suppressive fire throughout. None of

720-507: A compartment, allowing the boats inside to be launched. The 64-metre (210 ft) flight deck is able to take two Sea King HC4 or Merlin medium-lift helicopters and stow a third. The deck can also support two Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, one down the side of the flight deck and one at the rear of the flight deck. Although the Albion design does not have a hangar, the ship has sufficient equipment to support helicopter operations. Bulwark

800-537: A larger and more effective amphibious capability than the previous Fearless -class vessels. Between October 2011 and June 2015 she was the fleet flagship of the Royal Navy. She has been in extended upkeep since 2020. The ship is designed to send large numbers of troops and vehicles to shore as quickly as possible. Bulwark has supported a permanently embarked Royal Marines landing craft unit, 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines . The rear of Bulwark opens and floods

880-413: A licensee who is authorized to use such rights under certain conditions. The licensee is manufacturing a product for which it has been granted production rights under specific conditions, while the licensor retains ownership of the intellectual property thereof. In some cases the licensor will supply the necessary technical data, prototypes, and/or machine tools to the licensee. While licensed production

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960-567: A new electronic defensive aids suite and a folding blade mechanism allowing the British version to operate from ships. The helicopter was initially designated WAH-64 by Westland Helicopters and was later given the designation Apache AH Mk 1 (also written as "Apache AH1") by the Ministry of Defence . The Apache was a valued form of close air support in the conflict in Afghanistan , being deployed to

1040-438: A poor quality licensed product may damage the reputation of the original licensor. However, this is not considered a form of consumer fraud unless the product is unlicensed or counterfeit . Unlicensed production is the utilization of foreign manufacturing technology without a license, achieved through industrial espionage or reverse engineering . Products in high demand on the international market can be reproduced, based on

1120-601: A position thought to be held by enemy forces, but instead hit members of a British patrol; this was the first time that a British aircraft had been involved in a blue-on-blue incident in Afghanistan. In September 2008, an Apache was seriously damaged by a crash shortly after takeoff in Helmand province; no loss of life occurred but the airframe was written off. In early to mid-2009, several narcotics and bomb-making facilities were raided by British forces, supported by Apaches. During

1200-558: Is an especially prominent commercial practice in developing nations , which often approach licensed production as a starting point for indigenous industrial development. While licensed production in developing nations provides stimulus to the production and technical capabilities of local industry, in many cases it remains at least partly dependent on foreign support. The four most common applications of licensed production have historically been automotive engines and parts, weaponry, aircraft, and pharmaceuticals. During World War I , it

1280-822: Is continually relayed to update target information, assess the threat of Surface to Air missiles (SAM), and the presence of civilians, enabling real time changes to mission profiles. On 6 August, Apaches struck a military communications facility and troops at Al Watiyah. Both the Apache and the Typhoon were withdrawn from Libyan operations in September 2011 as operational demands decreased. Data from AgustaWestland page Jane's Air Forces, British Army General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Licensed production This

1360-510: Is defined as an overseas production arrangement, usually as a direct result of inter-state trade agreements, that permits a foreign government or entity to acquire the technical information to manufacture all or part of an equipment or component patented in the exporting country. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it must constitute a partnership between an intellectual property owner and

1440-410: Is often dependent on the appropriate technology transfers , it does not necessarily entail ownership and management of the overseas production by the technology supplier. However, the licensor does retain the right to continue to use the licensed property, and to attribute further licenses to third parties. Occasionally, licensees may themselves sub-license a third party with or without the agreement of

1520-542: Is the second ship of the Royal Navy 's Albion -class assault ships. She is one of the United Kingdom's two landing platform docks designed to put Royal Marines ashore by air and by sea though is due to be retired by March 2025. Although launched in 2001, delays caused the delivery date to be put back, and the ship entered service In 28 April 2005. Together with Albion , and other amphibious ships, she has provided

1600-532: The BOWMAN secure communications system to interact with other British military units being a significant one. The Leonardo (formerly Selex ES ) Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS) was also fitted. The HIDAS system was retrofitted onto the aircraft in mid-2004 just prior to entering service, along with several redesigned composite bodywork components. Instead of the American Hydra 70 rocket pods,

1680-931: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta in November. This duty was completed in December 2015. In 2016, the ship was the flagship for Exercise Griffin Strike, the validation exercise for the Anglo-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force , after which she participated in the Centenary commemorations for the Battle of Jutland in Scapa Flow . In July, the ship came alongside Sunderland and exercised

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1760-583: The Elbe river prevented her from entering the city of Hamburg as originally planned. At the end of February, Bulwark visited the Polish port of Gdynia , carrying out exercises with two Polish frigates , ORP  Generał Kazimierz Pułaski and ORP  Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko . She also hosted onboard over 4,000 people from the city. The vessel had entered the Baltic Sea to prepare for Exercise 'Cold Response',

1840-500: The Horn of Africa . Bulwark then headed for the northern Persian Gulf to become the flagship of Task Force 158, providing security for Iraqi oil platforms. At the start of mid 2006 Bulwark was near Spain. Due to the 2006 Israel–Lebanon crisis , on 15 July 2006 she was ordered to divert to Lebanon and to support operations evacuating British citizens from the conflict area. On 20 July, she evacuated approximately 1,300 people from Beirut in

1920-652: The Taurus 09 deployment. She was joined by Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) Ocean , Type 23 frigates Argyll and Somerset and four ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary . In May 2010, she entered a dry-dock at HMNB Devonport to refit, eventually rejoining the fleet in March 2011, and then took over as fleet flagship from her sister ship Albion in October 2011. She made a five-day visit to London on 16 March 2011. Bulwark undertook Operational Sea Training at

2000-501: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has noted that while licensing companies often provide quality control measures, and there is some incentive for licensees to comply or risk legal action and the ensuing damage to their own profit, manufacturers who engage in unlicensed production are under no such obligations. Another method of circumventing the need for a license involves a manufacturer making slight modifications in

2080-532: The helicopter carrier HMS  Ocean , the Invincible -class aircraft carriers (all since retired) and their successors, the Queen Elizabeth -class aircraft carriers, and possibly the amphibious assault vessels HMS  Bulwark and Albion . Each squadron equipped with the Apache should have eight operational aircraft. The Westland Apache experienced delays in entering service due to complications with

2160-530: The Apache AH1 carried an AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radar (FCR) and Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), providing an integrated surveillance and attack system. The 'Longbow' radar was the bulbous unit over the rotor hub assembly; radar placement above the rotors allowed the Apache to hover behind cover scanning for targets, with only the radar unit exposed. Additionally, the Longbow radar could monitor traffic in

2240-454: The Apache AH1 is deployed with its Longbow Fire Control Radar to enable the pilot to better manage traffic in their airspace. Initially pilots had to often fly for 16–18 hours at a time due to the low number of Apaches in the theatre; typically each Apache would be stationed in Afghanistan for eight weeks before returning to Britain for roughly eight weeks of maintenance. On 22 May 2006, a UK Apache operating in Afghanistan's Helmand province used

2320-687: The Apache AH1s until they were retired from service in 2024. The Apache AH1 was remanufactured by Boeing to become AH-64E Version 6 aircraft with US engines. The Australian Army purchased two retired AgustaWestland Apaches in 2024. The helicopters will be used as non-flying training aids ahead of the delivery of AH-64E Apaches to the Army. Both helicopters were transported from the UK to the US in March 2024 to be modified to ground training airframes. Several deviations were made to

2400-531: The Apache gunships in British service had been grounded as they had fallen below the level considered "fit for purpose", along with several other British Helicopters such as the Chinook and Merlin HC3 . By November 2008, the situation had further declined, out of 67 aircraft only 20 were available for combat operations. In 2009, AgustaWestland was awarded a contract for support services for the Apache and many components such as

2480-451: The Apache required less modification to serve in the region due to special filters incorporated into the engine design. Another change is the folding blade mechanism to stow the helicopters in confined spaces; the rotor blades also have anti-ice protection to allow operations in Arctic environments. There were changes made to the sensor and avionics outfitting the craft as well; connectivity with

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2560-530: The Apache was combat proven, though its performance in the First Gulf War was criticised by competitors. Westland and the Apache was selected in July 1995, and a contract for 67 helicopters was signed in 1996. "I have no doubt whatsoever that the Attack Helicopter will represent the biggest single enhancement to the Army's capability for many years. It will change the way we go to battle. Now we have taken

2640-416: The Apache's airspace. The radar could also be used for surveillance and terrain profiling. A modem was interfaced into the Longbow radar and other sensor systems to relay information to other aircraft, this allowed other Apaches to fire on targets identified by only a single helicopter. AgustaWestland made several upgrades to Britain's Apache fleet. In May 2005, a $ 212 million contract was awarded to equip all

2720-716: The British Army in July 2004. The helicopter fleet's cost was around £3.1 billion, with a total acquisition cost of £4.1 billion. Reliability had been questioned by US Apache operations, the entire fleet in the Balkans had been grounded due to serious tail rotor failures in 1999. In 1998, the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar's development ran into problems regarding its weight, impact upon overall agility, and data transfer abilities. These problems with key aircraft components, and fleet's high cost, led to calls for its cancellation in 1999. When

2800-572: The Commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO . At the end of May 2014, Bulwark visited Greenwich in London, where the public were able to visit the ship for tours conducted by the crew, and she also took part in celebrations marking the 350th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Marines. In late 2014 Bulwark was deployed for the COUGAR 14 Response Force Task Group annual exercise and

2880-804: The Freedom of the City of Durham with a full ceremonial parade through the streets, finishing with a service at St Cuthbert's Cathedral. In September 2016, the ship again acted as the flagship for the Joint Expeditionary Force (Maritime) 16 deployment (the new name for the COUGAR series of deployments) and, with COMATG embarked, deployed for exercises off (and with) Albania, France, Israel, Somaliland, and Oman. As announced in 2011, Bulwark entered extended readiness (uncrewed reserve) in early 2017, and transferred her role as Fleet Amphibious Flagship to her sister ship Albion on her emergence from refit. According to

2960-619: The International Mine Counter Measures Exercise (IMCMEX). Between April and July 2015 Bulwark was allocated to Operation Weald, the upgraded search and rescue operation of the Italian coast for migrants crossing from Libya . She was assisted by three Merlin HM.2 helicopters from 814 Naval Air Squadron . Bulwark recovered over 2,900 migrants from the sea during the operation. Bulwark assisted in providing security for

3040-437: The Longbow radar; in the following months senior officers noted that the support change had resulted in higher availability. In June 2011, civilian maintainers of the Apache at Wattisham Airfield threatened industrial action over a pay dispute. In October 2008 it was announced that Prince Harry had begun the process of qualifying to become an Apache pilot. In May 2010, the terrorist organisation Al Qaeda threatened to abduct

3120-625: The Ministry of Defence, the planned out-of-service date for Bulwark is 2034. However, in October 2017, the BBC's Newsnight reported that the Ministry of Defence was considering decommissioning Bulwark and Albion as part of a package of cost-cutting measures intended to mitigate the expense of the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers. This action was reversed by then Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson in September 2018. In late 2020 Bulwark

3200-545: The Mk1 helicopters with the Apache Arrowhead sensor system upgrade, to be completed by 2010. In 2009, it was announced that AgustaWestland was also integrating new external fuel tanks with ballistic protection. The magazine could be replaced with an Integrated Ammunition and Fuel unit, which reduced the ammunition capacity but increased loitering time. It had been suggested that advanced rotor blades and additional controls to improve

3280-408: The MoD announced that the Apache fleet had reached 100,000 hours flying time, and describing it as a "vital battlefield tool in Afghanistan". The Apache was also recognised as having established a "limited maritime strike capability" and were deploying on vessels such as HMS Ocean . On 17 May 2011, the Apache tested its Hellfire missiles against sea targets for the first time, 9 missiles were fired with

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3360-709: The Summer 2009 operations, a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Mansur, and several accomplices were killed in a precision strike launched by an Apache. On 25 July 2011, the MoD announced that during a combat operation in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province, several Afghan children had been injured from crossfire by an Apache; they were flown to Camp Bastion for medical treatment. From 2006 to April 2014, British Apache helicopters flew 50,000 hours in Afghanistan, representing one-third of all UK Apache flying. The UK ended combat operations in Afghanistan in October 2014. In May 2011,

3440-535: The Westland Apache can carry up to 76 CRV7 rockets. The CRV7 uses a modular warhead: "a high explosive, semi-armour piercing warhead for attacks on unarmoured targets and a kinetic energy penetrator, which contains no explosive, for attacks on armoured targets". There used to be a third type of warhead: the Multi-Purpose Sub Munition (MPSM), which was a controversial weapon as it has been classified as

3520-520: The agility of the aircraft may have been fitted in a mid-life update of the fleet. In May 2005, the first Apache-equipped regiment achieved operational status. The Westland Apache replaced the Westland Lynx AH7 as the British Army's tactical attack helicopter. The Apache was operated by two regiments of the Army Air Corps (3 Regt AAC and 4 Regt AAC) as part of 1st Aviation Brigade . The Apache

3600-488: The aircraft as the "Mosquito". On 13 January 2007, a 200-strong British force, led by Royal Marines , launched an operation to attack Jugroom Fort , a major Taliban base in southern Helmand Province. After several hours of intense fighting, the Marines regrouped and it was discovered that Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando Royal Marines was missing. A rescue mission was launched using four volunteers, Royal Marines and

3680-506: The aircraft's first cold weather training within the Arctic Circle . The Apache's first operational tour was as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan; there were eight Apache AH1s deployed in Afghanistan in February 2007. These were drawn from No. 656 Squadron and No. 664 Squadron of 9 Regiment AAC , based at Dishforth Airfield . Unlike their American counterparts in Afghanistan,

3760-870: The biggest British evacuation. On completion of her extended deployment the ship returned to the United Kingdom. At the start of June 2007 Bulwark was berthed at Sunderland on the River Wear . In October 2008, Bulwark was at the Tail of the Bank in the Firth of Clyde together with the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and the French amphibious ship Tonnerre , taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior 2008. On 18 February 2009, Bulwark sailed from Devonport as flagship to Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, Commodore Peter Hudson , on

3840-407: The body of the aircraft and cause damage; resolving this issue created a delay to training programmes. These problems were corrected prior to entering service, a secure communications suite was installed and Hellfire missiles are routinely fired by Apaches. In 2002, government sources stated that full operational capability was set to be achieved by 2010. In 2005, an out-of-service date for the Apache

3920-599: The coast. On 4 June 2011, Apaches struck targets within Libya for the first time, destroying a radar site and an armed checkpoint near the town of Brega . Further precision strikes were launched by Apaches, typical targets were mobile air defenses, and were occasionally engaged by AK-47 fire from ground troops. In early June, Apaches conducted attacks on Gaddafi loyalists assaulting the town of Misrata . On 13 June, British Apaches destroyed several inflatable boats with 30 mm cannon fire, believed to be Libyan Special Forces, before engaging and destroying multiple vehicles along

4000-410: The coastline, including an anti-aircraft system. On 25 June, in coordination with RAF Tornado strikes, Apaches attacked loyalist infantry and vehicles around Brega and its airfield. On 1 July, British Apaches were reportedly involved in a 'fierce' battle at the town of Khoms . On 2 July, Apaches destroyed several tanks and a bunker at a military camp near Zawiya . On 5 August, Apaches participated in

4080-416: The decision to buy the Apache, the Army must ensure that doctrine is developed to allow us to make the fullest possible use of its tremendous capability." In September 1998, Westland produced the first prototype WAH-64 Apache under licence from Boeing. The first nine Apache AH1s were authorised for service by the director of British Army Aviation on 16 January 2001. The 67th and final Apache was handed over to

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4160-839: The design or function of an existing product, before reproducing it. The manufacturer could then argue that the resulting product is not an unlicensed copy, but a new product not subject to license. Also need to be noted that once the terms of the patent for the particular technology or invention has expired, any manufacturer could legally reverse-engineer and reproduce said technology without needing to negotiate license agreements with former patent holder. However, even after patent terms have lapsed some manufacturers do opt for licensed production, since such agreements also confer transfer of full manufacturing plans and expertise which may prove to be cheaper than acquiring those via reverse engineering. Industrial products which have been built under license include: HMS Bulwark (L15) HMS Bulwark

4240-422: The domestic manufacture of preexisting overseas designs. This allowed for a much higher rate of production, and was considerably cheaper than national sourcing and off-the-shelf acquisition. European automobile manufacturers were the first to adopt this practice, producing a number of specialized American components for their passenger cars under license. The United States not only supplied European factories with

4320-403: The economic life of the product. Developing nations began accounting for a significant percentage of licensed production during the late twentieth century. Governments of developing nations often sought to encourage rapid industrialization, reduce dependence on foreign imports, and combat high levels of unemployment by creating and retaining local jobs. However, in many of these nations there

4400-674: The end of June 2011 in preparation to take up the role of fleet flagship of the Royal Navy. Bulwark was on standby as leading ship of the UK's recently formed Response Force Task Group . In October she participated in Exercise Joint Warrior in Loch Eriboll , the largest war games staged in the UK, involving the French Marines and other NATO forces. On 15 February 2012, Bulwark made an unscheduled stop in Kiel , Germany, after ice on

4480-402: The explicit licensing of technological information. Knock-down kits are regarded as a prerequisite to licensed production; they consist of products assembled locally from imported, pre-manufactured parts. Some licensors find it difficult to regulate the quality of their products manufactured under license. It is not always made clear to consumers where exactly a particular good originated, and

4560-451: The first aircraft carrier to land an Apache AH1. They first appeared in combat as part of Operation Herrick in Afghanistan in May 2006. In August 2006, the intense usage of Apaches in Afghanistan led to British commanders admitting that weapons and spare parts were being used at a far greater rate, and subsequently a greater cost, than anticipated. On 11 November 2007, it was reported that half of

4640-443: The intellectual property owner. Licensing agreements determine the form and scope of compensation to the intellectual property owner, which usually takes the form of a flat licensing fee or a running royalty payment derived from a share of the licensee's revenue. The licenses can be terminated by the licensor, or may expire after a set date; however, the technology and knowledge, once transferred, cannot be rescinded, so even if

4720-735: The later AH-64E version. The requirement for a new attack helicopter was identified by the British government in the early 1990s. In 1993, invitations to bid were issued. Bids received included the Eurocopter Tiger , a modernised Bell AH-1 SuperCobra , the AH-64 Apache , the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche , and the Agusta A129 Mangusta . Both the Tiger and upgraded Cobra variant required more development, and thus risk, while

4800-431: The licensee. The United States began inserting pro forma statements into licensing agreements known as "side letters" , which required the free sharing of any improvements made to American technology. Other attempts were also made to control the destination of licensed products, particularly with regards to the arms industry . For instance, France stipulated that military vehicles manufactured in South Africa under

4880-449: The licensing agreement expires they remain in the licensee's possession. Two related commercial practices are foreign subcontractor production and the proliferation of knock-down kits . Foreign subcontracting occurs when a product's original manufacturer contracts the production of its individual parts and components to a second party overseas. Such arrangements are not considered examples of licensed production because they do not involve

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4960-429: The modifications made for British service. Prior to the Apache entering service in 2004, several development problems were noted, including a lack of the ability to securely communicate with other helicopters and a risk of damage to the tail rotor and airframe from firing its Hellfire missiles. The problem with using the Hellfire was debris generated by the firing of missiles, both the Hellfire and CRV7 rockets, could strike

5040-613: The necessary blueprints and licenses, but also sourced American-made tooling equipment accordingly, which allowed the automobile companies to optimize their production lines. By the 1960s it was not uncommon for an entire specialized industry—such as the manufacture of rotary aircraft in the United Kingdom —to be dependent wholly on foreign-licensed components. A number of countries began making improvements to foreign products manufactured under license, and were even able to re-export them successfully. This trend resulted in some technology suppliers imposing additional conditions on

5120-479: The original technology supplier did not need to manufacture the product itself—it merely patented a specific design, then sold the actual production rights to multiple clients. This resulted in different companies separately manufacturing identical products licensed from the same licensee. For many licensee companies, licensed production by other firms provides a continuous outlet for their proprietary technology, increasing their return on investment and prolonging

5200-506: The prince if he piloted an Apache in Afghanistan. In April 2011, Prince Harry was promoted to captain following his completion of Apache conversion training. In June 2011, sections of the media reported that Prince Harry was to deploy to Afghanistan as an Apache pilot in 2012. He subsequently deployed to Afghanistan as part of 662 Squadron in September 2012. Three Apaches were deployed to Bardufoss Air Station in Norway in January 2019. The deployment, known as Exercise Clockwork , represented

5280-585: The rebel push for the town of Zliten was reported. By 21 June 2011, the Libyan government had dubiously claimed to have successfully shot down dozens of aircraft, including five Apaches; NATO denied these claims and no Apache losses have been acknowledged to date. On 8 July 2011, the MoD released information on the first month of Apache combat operations over Libya; noting that Apaches had engaged targets within Libya on 39 occasions. Apache operations over Libya have been heavily influenced and supported by NATO reconnaissance flights and intelligence missions; information

5360-402: The region in 2006. Naval trials and temporary deployments at sea had proven the aircraft as an able platform to operate from the decks of ships, which was a unique application of the Apache amongst its operators. British Apaches also served in the NATO 2011 military intervention in Libya operating from Royal Navy ships. The Apache AH1 was retired in 2024 and all models were remanufactured to

5440-422: The requirement for the Apache had been formalised in the early 1990s, military doctrine assumed that a large conventional armoured assault from the Eastern Bloc was Britain's main threat. Following the collapse and break-up of the Soviet Union, the concepts of flexibility and rapid response took precedence. The UK's Strategic Defence Review called for Apaches to undertake amphibious attack missions, operating from

5520-422: The rescuers were injured in the recovery mission and they were later hailed for their bravery. In May and June 2008, British and Afghan National Army forces conducted Operation Eagle's Eye , aimed at disrupting Taliban activities to the south of Musa Qaleh ; a key portion of which was a major night-time helicopter raid, rapidly deploying members of 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment into the town. In June 2008,

5600-614: The risks inherent in the development of new products by taking advantage of the proven reputation of products which had already achieved success in foreign markets. The economic life of many products, namely in the automotive and defense sectors, have been prolonged by overseas licensed production long after they were considered obsolete in their countries of origin. Developing nations such as Pakistan and Singapore which built important segments of their industry on licensed production have now themselves become licensors of technology and products to less developed states. Licensed production

5680-448: The same or similar design, and branded in ways to make them indistinguishable from the original. When copied and reproduced without a license, certain items are sometimes recopied in a similar manner by a third party. The manufacturers responsible may also grant legitimately registered sub-licenses for their unlicensed products, profiting at the expense of the real intellectual property owner. The quality of unlicensed goods varies greatly;

5760-419: The ship would in fact only return to operations "if required", suggesting that she would remain in uncrewed reserve upon completing her refit. However, this decision was reversed by the newly-elected Labour Government in November 2024 which indicated that Bulwark was to be taken out of service. Bulwark is the featured ship in the second series of Warship originally shown on television channel Five in

5840-477: The standard Apache design used by the US and those exported to other countries. One major difference is the use of a pair of Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 01/12 engines, replacing the original General Electric T700-GE-701C engines. The Rolls-Royce engine produces 1,565 kW (2,100 hp) vs. 1,410 kW (1,890 hp) for the GE T700C engine. Compared to many helicopters used by coalition forces in Afghanistan,

5920-479: The summer of 2009, British Apaches were an integral component of Operation Panther's Claw , which was aimed at pushing insurgents out of civilian areas in the runup to the 2009 Afghan Elections . During this major offensive, Apaches from the UK routinely flew alongside US Cobra helicopters to provide air support to soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Marines conducting ground operations. During

6000-407: Was dry-docked for phase two of her optimised support period. The ship was to remain in dry dock prior to undertaking a phase 3 "recertification package" ahead of her planned return to the fleet in 2023. In mid-2023 it was reported that the ship would not be ready for active operations until sometime in 2024. Then in March 2024 James Cartlidge, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, stated that

6080-400: Was forecast at 2030. Various options were considered for maintaining the capability: In August 2015, the UK requested the upgrade of 50 of its Apaches to AH-64E standard through a US Foreign Military Sale . The order was confirmed in 2016, with the contract for remanufacturing of the first 38 awarded in 2017 and the remaining 12 in 2019. Leonardo Helicopters continued to lead the support to

6160-403: Was intended to operate in the armed reconnaissance and attack roles, similar to the US usage of Apaches during the 1991 Gulf War. Unlike US versions, the Westland Apache had been partially navalised and for a time served aboard Royal Navy ships in addition to its land-based role. It achieved maritime certification in December 2005 aboard HMS Ocean . On 17 November 2006, HMS Ark Royal became

6240-515: Was launched at the BAE Systems shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness , Cumbria , on 15 November 2001. She is, to date, the most recent surface vessel to have been constructed at Barrow with the yard currently specialising in submarine construction. Bulwark departed the UK in January 2006 for a six-month East of Suez maiden deployment. She conducted counter-terrorist and counter-piracy tasks in waters off

6320-560: Was more common for licensing agreements to take place between companies in the same country; for example, Opel was granted a license to produce BMW -designed aircraft engines for the German war effort. During the 1920s, European economists began advocating licensed production of foreign goods as the cure for "industrial particularism" —it allowed countries to bypass the costly research and development stage of acquiring products with which their own industries were unfamiliar, and refocus on

6400-492: Was not a strong tradition of technology-based industrial development, and local firms were seldom active participants in creating indigenous technology through research and development. Since their research capacity was typically too limited to meet their goals, adopting licensing agreements for foreign technology was an especially attractive option. Manufacturing licensed products generated employment and empowered local industry while reducing dependence on imports. It also avoided

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