The US Army has begun construction on the first fuselage for its next-generation AH-64 block III Apache helicopter.

US Army lieutenant colonel Dan Bailey said the first block III aircraft would be unveiled later this year before being fielded by the end of 2012.

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The first two Apache block III aircraft will be used for developmental purposes, and the next five to train the first equipped unit.

The new helicopter features a 701D engine, improved avionics, better computer networking capability, increased manoeuvrability and an improved drive system, known as IDS-21 – face gear transmission.

The army is planning to acquire 690 block III Apaches by 2026, of which 643 will be remanufactured aircraft and 56 will be newly built.

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