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The US military has grounded more than 400 AH-64E Apaches due to a suspected fault in the transmission system. Taiwan also grounded all 29 Apaches after receiving technical reports, and placed the AH-1W and OH-58D on rotation in preparation for war.
The US military ordered the grounding of more than 400 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters due to suspected faults in transmission systems. taiwanDepartment of Defense Commander-in-Chief Gu Lixiong confirmed that all of Taiwan’s Apache attack helicopters have been grounded, and AH-1W and OH-58D have been deployed on rotation in preparation for combat. I am hopeful that it will be examined as soon as possible to confirm restoration of airworthiness.
The US military ordered the grounding of hundreds of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters on October 2. It is said that the main reason is that the gearbox parts of these helicopters may cause serious flight safety accidents due to design and material problems.
Gu Lixiong confirmed that Taiwan has indeed received a technical briefing from the United States and that the relevant Apache attack helicopter fleet has indeed been grounded. It currently has deployed AH-1W and OH-58D in combat readiness.
It is reported that Taiwan is considering releasing some AH-64Es with low flight hours as a priority due to pressure on war preparations. Gu Lixiong stressed that Taiwan definitely hopes to conduct inspections as soon as possible to confirm the restoration of airworthiness.
According to US military flight safety data, the AH-64E has suffered at least four serious flight safety accidents since October last year, including a “catastrophic transmission system failure”. According to US military officials, the US military issued a flight safety notice requiring inspections of all AH-64E transmission systems, and based on the results of these inspections, ordered the aircraft grounded.
Some media reported in May that the US military investigation found that the AH-64E’s “improved transmission system” main gearbox may have internal failure, leading to the failure of the auxiliary gearbox, resulting in loss of power to the tail rotor and failure of electrical and hydraulic systems. However, the specific cause was not announced at that time.
It is reported that the US military currently has more than 700 Apache helicopters of various types, and this wave of indefinite grounding of AH-64E has reached 400. Except for a small number of front-line fleet deployed in the Middle East, most active duty and national militia units are affected, and the grounding could last several months. After receiving technical notification from the US, all 29 Apaches currently in service in Taiwan have been grounded awaiting inspection and repair by the US.
Summary FAQ
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Due to a suspected malfunction in the transmission system, the US military was concerned that the gearbox or main gearbox would have internal failure, causing loss of power to the tail rotor and failure of the electric and hydraulic systems, so it ordered a grounding and comprehensive inspection.
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Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that all 29 AH-64Es have been grounded, and AH-1W Super Cobras and OH-58Ds have been placed on rotational combat readiness to maintain basic air combat and warning energy, awaiting completion of maintenance before resuming operations.
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Gu Lixiong said that Taiwan has received a technical notification from the United States. The most important thing at this stage is to inspect and confirm restoration of airworthiness as quickly as possible; The grounding and rotating combat readiness arrangements will be maintained until security and improvements are completed.
