Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. succeeds in the first flight of combat helicopter AH-64D for Ground Self-Defense Force.

AH-64D executes the license manufacturing in Japan where Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. includes a Japanese original specification. Plan delivered to Ground Self-Defense Force in March this year. After the introduction is decided in 2001, it becomes the practice disposition of indeed five year.

As for this machine, 900 or more has been operated all over the world including the United States that is original of development. In the ground offensive capability and operation after it wins control of the air, the offensive capability that uses the radar of this machine (part like rice cake offering in the upper part of the propeller) can be demonstrated enough in Japan where which it is very high, and geographical features is especially complex. Moreover, it can be said that it is necessary to examine not only the offensive capability but also the introduction such as the Maritime Self-Defense Force from the goodness of convenience in which the small turn is effective.

The number of introduction machines is two in current year. Eight schedules in total by 2008. As for arms, effective operation cannot be done if there are no number that is settled to some degree. However, the few one doesn't have the method because the unit price of the introduction a plane is six times nearer than about 7.4 billion yen and usual all-round brim UH-1J (about 1.2 billion yen or more). Though the single machine cost might be reduced if it mass-produces it.