Defense

WASHINGTON — Boeing has flown a new version of the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter with upgraded capabilities, the company announced Oct. 11 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference. The Version 6.5 attack helicopter, which Boeing went under contract to produce with the U.S. Army in December 2021, includes software updates and improvements to the pilot interface, Boeing said in…

WASHINGTON — An aerial electronic jammer the U.S. Army slated for use aboard a reconnaissance and attack drone successfully underwent testing using a turboprop aircraft, an outcome officials said demonstrates the payload’s future battlefield flexibility. The Multi-Function Electronic Warfare-Air Large, or MFEW-AL, is part of the Army’s focus on sophisticated electronic warfare technologies…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army plans to release a strategy by the end of the month to establish a digital engineering environment meant to speed the pace, lower cost and reduce risk in weapons systems development, Army Under Secretary Gabe Camarillo told Defense News. Already, the defense industry is using digital engineering, including using digital twins, to develop future vertical lift aircraft…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — If the Army is going to be successful both in garrison or on deployment, the service must ensure its units work together and soldiers trust their leadership. Leadership failings, toxic command climates and disengaged soldiers can lead to a host of problems — from poorly trained forces not ready for their next mission to reduced re-enlistment, misbehavior and even suicide. A…