Army's Apaches learn F1 lessons

The Army's Apache fleet will eventually total 67

The British Army has managed to halve the refuelling times for its fleet of Apache helicopters by studying the pit stop techniques of Formula One teams.

The idea was sparked by the Directorate of Army Aviation, which invited a team of Formula One engineers to its base to look at army crews in action.

An Army spokesman said the collaboration came about not because there were specific problems with refuelling, but simply as an exercise to improve techniques.

"The Army often works with private industry to explore new ideas and improve operations," the spokesman said.

For their part, personnel from the British Army Air Corps were also invited to a number of Grand Prix to watch pit stop procedures during races.

There will also be a brand new Apache attack helicopter on display at Silverstone ahead of Sunday's British Grand Prix.

A spokesperson from Formula One's governing body, the FIA, said of the collaboration: "These exchanges led to a number of relatively minor changes which when implemented together have made the complete procedure more efficient, contributing towards cutting the rearming and refuelling time for an Apache by 50 per cent."

Pilot shortage

The Army's new £3bn fleet of Apaches have encountered a major setback since the first batch was delivered, down to the lack of trained pilots currently available to fly them.

A National Audit Office report last October revealed that dozens of the new £3bn fleet would have to be kept in storage for four years due to the shortage.

Apache facts Cost: £45m Top speed: 162 mph Range: 285 miles Engine: Rolls Royce Weapons: 16 Hellfire missiles, 76 Rockets (2.75"), 1200 cannon rounds (30mm), 4 air to air missiles

The NAO report warned that although the Apaches were being delivered on time, a private finance initiative (PFI) deal to train aircrew was three years late.

Eleven of the 25 helicopters so far delivered - out of an order for 67 - are having to be stored in aircraft hangars.

The delivery of a further 16 Apache helicopters is scheduled for February 2005.