New Depth Support Facility

[100arw]

Via MOD:

<<Britain’s new fleet of Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters are to be overhauled at a new depth support facility to be built at the Middle Wallop headquarters of the Army Air Corps, and will fully come on line in 2025.

Once completed, the new overhaul facility will shift the balance of AAC’s attack helicopter operation. At the moment the majority of the Apache activity is at Wattisham Flying Station, in Suffolk, where the two Apache front line regiments and the maintenance/overhaul organisation, involving 2,000 military and civilian personnel, are based. Middle Wallop, has previously functioned as an out-station of the main Wattisham base, with limited engineering capacity to support the handful of helicopters located there for initial pilot conversion training.

The location of the facility where the AAC’s fleet of 50 AH-64E will undergo deep maintenance, which involves the dismantling and overhaul of all the helicopter’s components, has been the source of speculation since Boeing signed a 20-year support deal for the new AH-6Es in January 2022.>>

P.

[Matt Wardle]

This is good to know. It will be good to see Middle Wallop a little more active. Thank you for the info

I wonder if this will mean an increase in the runway length as I assume the maintenance of these AH-64E's will need parts transported in, but I guess this could be by road, via Boscombe Down?

[POL]

Parts will be by road, just like they are to Wattisham, or Boscombe, or Fleetlands, or Valley, or anywhere else that does depth work for various fleets.

I'd imagine most of it arrives in the UK by ship or commercial belly cargo anyway.

[Matt Wardle]

Parts will be by road, just like they are to Wattisham, or Boscombe, or Fleetlands, or Valley, or anywhere else that does depth work for various fleets.

I'd imagine most of it arrives in the UK by ship or commercial belly cargo anyway.

Yeah true, just wishful thinking from me.

[raameagle]

The main runway at Middle Wallop is a grass runway...

This is good to know. It will be good to see Middle Wallop a little more active. Thank you for the info

I wonder if this will mean an increase in the runway length as I assume the maintenance of these AH-64E's will need parts transported in, but I guess this could be by road, via Boscombe Down?

[Phoon]

That's probably the end for Wattisham then......

[100arw]

No, Wallop is just planed as the overhaul facility.
There is not the facilities to take an extra two squadrons plus support staff etc.
But good try :-)
P.

[GVLCN]

Thinking of a visit here tomorrow, am I likely to see anything fly? I was planning on viewing from museum side.

Any help would be great?

[tommc]

That's probably the end for Wattisham then......

I'm not sure a couple of AH-64E movements in and out of Middle Wallop for maintenance each month is going to put a massive dent in Wattisham's activity!

[Freeman Lowell]

Thinking of a visit here tomorrow, am I likely to see anything fly? I was planning on viewing from museum side.

Any help would be great?

Viewing from the museum side will enable you to see the Apaches arriving and departing. If you want to see them on the ground, or read off serials/take pictures then the layby on Old Stockbridge Road is the spot you need to be. Google Earth or previous posts will guide you to the spot.
6 Apaches are often on the ramp mid-morning.
Good luck.
Freeman (currently spotting AW119Ks and drinking Sagres)

[Bertie_Basset]

So what will 7 Battalion REME at Wattisham be tasked with?

[GVLCN]

Thank you Freeman Lowell for the advice much appreciated.

[eagle driver]

ZM722 was the first AH-64E to arrive for the DHSF at Middle Wallop
ZM702 will be the next one .

[eagle driver]

ZM702 arr at Middle Wallop 28/05/24 as Nightmare 01 for the DHSF

[paulk]

ZM702 is currenlty at Brize Norton, where is arrived on the 28/05/2024 as HANGMAN1.

[paulk]

ZM702 departed Brize Norton 30/5/24) back to Wattisham

[scramble1]

ZM729, ZM733 & ZM735 out on the ramp this morning

[eagle driver]

ZM702 returned to Middle Wallop this morning as AAC311