Avicenna
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https://southasianmonitor.com/bangl...ttack-helicopters-transport-aircraft-from-us/
Note the date of the article.
Seems it was credible given the official word more recently.
So perhaps the rest of the article is credible as well especially the bit about the F-16 Block 50/52, AIM-9X and the reluctance of the US to release AMRAAM to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh seeks Apache attack helicopters, transport aircraft from US
August 25, 2019
The Bangladesh Air Force is seeking to procure new Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and refurbished C-130H transport aircraft from the US through a government-to-government deal.
Negotiations are scheduled to be held between the defence officials of the two countries later this year.
Earlier the US offered to sell F-16C/D Block 50/52 Plus fighter aircraft with AIM-9X Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles however the Bangladesh Air Force declined to purchase the aircraft without a full weapons package required to utilise the maximum capability of the combat aircraft.
The Bangladesh Air Force took up a plan to purchase 8 highly capable attack helicopters initially followed by additional units in future. Turkish-built T-129 and Russian Mi-35M were considered to be front contenders but the offer from the US trumped all competitors.
It is also seeking to purchase at least C-130H after the US counterparts informed they were unable to supply refurbished C-130J. This forced the Bangladesh Air Force to purchase 5 refurbished and upgraded C-130J Mk5 transport aircraft from the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom).
If the US fails to provide at least two C-130H transport aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force steps will be taken to procure additional units from the UK once again.
Meanwhile the first C-130J upgraded by Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group is set to arrive in Bangladesh on the 24th of this month.
The Bangladesh Air Force has wholly revitalised its transport aircraft fleet with modern aircraft purchased from Western countries. It is planning to transform the fighter and helicopter fleets too with more modern Western platforms in the coming years.
The US government has asked Bangladesh Armed Forces to purchase more American made defence equipment. Bangladesh has agreed to purchase those provided prices are acceptable and without conditions.
Bangladesh and USA are both seeking closer defence ties to ensure mutual interests are upheld.
This week Bangladesh’s state owned Biman airlines inducted its third Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft purchased newly from the US under a 10-aircraft deal worth $2.1 billion. Four Boeing 777-300ER, two 737-800 and three 787-8 have already been delivered under the 2008 deal. A fourth Boeing 878-8 airliner will be added to Biman’s fleet next month.
The national airlines has also been tasked with purchasing two cargo aircraft to facilitate rapid import-export of products. Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) is expanding with new routes including a non-stop flight to New York.
About AH-64E attack helicopter
Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, it was redesignated as AH-64E Guardian to represent its increased capabilities. The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability, and improved landing gear. New composite rotor blades, which successfully completed testing in 2004, increase cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capacity. Deliveries began in November 2011. Full-rate production was approved on 24 October 2012, with 634 AH-64Ds to be upgraded to AH-64E standard and production of 56 new-build AH-64Es to start in 2019/20. Changes in production lots 4 through 6 shall include a cognitive decision aiding system and new self-diagnostic abilities. The updated Longbow radar has an oversea capacity, potentially enabling naval strikes; an AESA radar is under consideration. The E model is to be fit for maritime operations. Extended-range fuel tanks can also be added to the AH-64E to further increase range and endurance. A Link 16 tactical data link is also availed.
Indonesia purchased eight Apache AH-64E Guardians under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program in September 2012, along with associated equipment and spares that included the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar and 140 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R3 anti-tank missiles, for an estimated total value of $1.42 billion. The helicopters were delivered in 2017.
Technical Specifications for AH-64 (A/D):
General characteristics
Crew: 2 (pilot, and co-pilot/gunner)
Length: 58.17 ft (17.73 m) (with both rotors turning)
Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Height: 12.7 ft (3.87 m)
Disc area: 1,809.5 ft² (168.11 m²)
Empty weight: 11,387 lb (5,165 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,650 lb (8,000 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
Fuselage length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
Rotor systems: 4 blade main rotor, 4 blade tail rotor in non-orthogonal alignment
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-701 turboshafts, 1,690 shp (1,260 kW) [upgraded to T700-GE-701C (for AH-64A/D from 1990), 1,890 shp (1,409 kW)] each
Performance
Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph, 365 km/h)
Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h)
Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h)
Range: 257 nmi (295 mi, 476 km) with Longbow radar mast
Combat radius: 260 nmi (300 mi, 480 km)
Ferry range: 1,024 nmi (1,180 mi, 1,900 km)
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m) minimum loaded
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)
Disc loading: 9.80 lb/ft² (47.9 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
Armament Guns: 1×30 mm (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the Area Weapon Subsystem
Note the date of the article.
Seems it was credible given the official word more recently.
So perhaps the rest of the article is credible as well especially the bit about the F-16 Block 50/52, AIM-9X and the reluctance of the US to release AMRAAM to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh seeks Apache attack helicopters, transport aircraft from US
August 25, 2019
Negotiations are scheduled to be held between the defence officials of the two countries later this year.
Earlier the US offered to sell F-16C/D Block 50/52 Plus fighter aircraft with AIM-9X Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles however the Bangladesh Air Force declined to purchase the aircraft without a full weapons package required to utilise the maximum capability of the combat aircraft.
The Bangladesh Air Force took up a plan to purchase 8 highly capable attack helicopters initially followed by additional units in future. Turkish-built T-129 and Russian Mi-35M were considered to be front contenders but the offer from the US trumped all competitors.
It is also seeking to purchase at least C-130H after the US counterparts informed they were unable to supply refurbished C-130J. This forced the Bangladesh Air Force to purchase 5 refurbished and upgraded C-130J Mk5 transport aircraft from the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom).
If the US fails to provide at least two C-130H transport aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force steps will be taken to procure additional units from the UK once again.
Meanwhile the first C-130J upgraded by Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group is set to arrive in Bangladesh on the 24th of this month.
The Bangladesh Air Force has wholly revitalised its transport aircraft fleet with modern aircraft purchased from Western countries. It is planning to transform the fighter and helicopter fleets too with more modern Western platforms in the coming years.
The US government has asked Bangladesh Armed Forces to purchase more American made defence equipment. Bangladesh has agreed to purchase those provided prices are acceptable and without conditions.
Bangladesh and USA are both seeking closer defence ties to ensure mutual interests are upheld.
This week Bangladesh’s state owned Biman airlines inducted its third Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft purchased newly from the US under a 10-aircraft deal worth $2.1 billion. Four Boeing 777-300ER, two 737-800 and three 787-8 have already been delivered under the 2008 deal. A fourth Boeing 878-8 airliner will be added to Biman’s fleet next month.
The national airlines has also been tasked with purchasing two cargo aircraft to facilitate rapid import-export of products. Bangladesh Airlines (Biman) is expanding with new routes including a non-stop flight to New York.
About AH-64E attack helicopter
Formerly known as AH-64D Block III, in 2012, it was redesignated as AH-64E Guardian to represent its increased capabilities. The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), full IFR capability, and improved landing gear. New composite rotor blades, which successfully completed testing in 2004, increase cruise speed, climb rate, and payload capacity. Deliveries began in November 2011. Full-rate production was approved on 24 October 2012, with 634 AH-64Ds to be upgraded to AH-64E standard and production of 56 new-build AH-64Es to start in 2019/20. Changes in production lots 4 through 6 shall include a cognitive decision aiding system and new self-diagnostic abilities. The updated Longbow radar has an oversea capacity, potentially enabling naval strikes; an AESA radar is under consideration. The E model is to be fit for maritime operations. Extended-range fuel tanks can also be added to the AH-64E to further increase range and endurance. A Link 16 tactical data link is also availed.
Indonesia purchased eight Apache AH-64E Guardians under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program in September 2012, along with associated equipment and spares that included the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar and 140 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R3 anti-tank missiles, for an estimated total value of $1.42 billion. The helicopters were delivered in 2017.
Technical Specifications for AH-64 (A/D):
General characteristics
Crew: 2 (pilot, and co-pilot/gunner)
Length: 58.17 ft (17.73 m) (with both rotors turning)
Rotor diameter: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Height: 12.7 ft (3.87 m)
Disc area: 1,809.5 ft² (168.11 m²)
Empty weight: 11,387 lb (5,165 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,650 lb (8,000 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
Fuselage length: 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m)
Rotor systems: 4 blade main rotor, 4 blade tail rotor in non-orthogonal alignment
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-701 turboshafts, 1,690 shp (1,260 kW) [upgraded to T700-GE-701C (for AH-64A/D from 1990), 1,890 shp (1,409 kW)] each
Performance
Never exceed speed: 197 knots (227 mph, 365 km/h)
Maximum speed: 158 knots (182 mph, 293 km/h)
Cruise speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h)
Range: 257 nmi (295 mi, 476 km) with Longbow radar mast
Combat radius: 260 nmi (300 mi, 480 km)
Ferry range: 1,024 nmi (1,180 mi, 1,900 km)
Service ceiling: 21,000 ft (6,400 m) minimum loaded
Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)
Disc loading: 9.80 lb/ft² (47.9 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
Armament Guns: 1×30 mm (1.18 in) M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds as part of the Area Weapon Subsystem
