The multi-billion dollar Moroccan deal for AH-64 Apaches also includes acquisition of manned-unmanned teaming kits (MUTKs) that will enable the gunship to collaborate with surveillance drones.
While Boeing only announced it scored a contract to provide 24 attack helicopters, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) last November green-lit a $4.25 billion Moroccan deal that included 39 manned-unmanned teaming air-to-air-to-ground kits.
The kit would allow an Apache pilot to control the operations and receive video feed of a nearby drone, making the Moroccan Apaches one of the deadliest outside the United States.
Nearly a decade ago, General Atomics received export licenses to sell an unarmed export version of the MQ-1 Predator to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Morocco.
Morocco currently has four MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in its inventory. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle, the drone that can be linked with AH-64 helicopter, was developed based on the Predator.
“Apache helicopters, teamed with Gray Eagle and Shadow are a winning combo. The Army is upgrading its Apache fleet to the E models, which are the ones that can be teamed with drones because of their higher level of sophistication,” Col. Thomas von Eschenbach, U.S. Army Training and Development Command, UAS, had said during Quad A Mission Solutions Summit, in 2014.
The capability provides full-motion video in an AH-64E Apache cockpit from the aforementioned UASs.
While Soldiers usually pilot UASs from OSGCSs, the Apache pilots are increasingly able to interact with the UASs at varying levels of interoperability (LOIs): LOI 1 is indirect receipt of UAV payload data, meaning not much interaction; LOI 2 is when the pilot has direct receipt of UAV payload data and is in direct communication with the UAV; LOI 3 is where the Apache pilot can actually fire a UAV missile; LOI 4 turns flight control over to the Apache pilot; and LOI 5 covers the full spectrum of flight, including launch and recovery.
While the ground operator always has all five levels of control, the Apache pilot can request a particular level.
According to the U.S. Army, the MUM-T capability also offers multiple levels of control of the UAS, from the ability to view and control the electro-optic payload and laser designator to remotely controlling the vehicle’s flight. These systems allow the MUM-T operator to identify and fix the laser designator at targets, allowing HELLFIRE and other smart missiles to guide to and destroy the target. MUM-T is enabled by the Mini-Tactical Common Data Link, which transmits UAS or aircraft sensor video to a ground or airborne One System Remote Video Terminal. With this capability, UAS can provide reconnaissance, targeting and security to an Army brigade.
In March this year, Morocco received three used Harfang combat drones from France. A single unit of this French version of Israel’s Heron Shovalcosts about $25 million. Morocco had expressed interest in acquiring the Harfangs to patrol its vast desert borders six years ago, after France began replacing them with new MQ-9 Reapers. It is said to have paid $48 million to procure the three units.
The Shoval shares some similarities such as price (about $5 million), weight (around 1.2 tons) and endurance (40 hours) with the MQ-1 Predator. It has a slightly higher ceiling (10km/30000 feet, versus 8km) and software which allows it to take off, carry out a mission, and land automatically. It also has a larger wingspan (16.5m/51ft) that than the Predator (13.2m/41ft) and a payload of about 137kg.
