Even the US ARMY seems to not have unlimited resources available, so now there will be a reallocation and some projects will be put on hold. What does that mean in detail? The Blackhawk successor will continue to be pursued, but the replacement for the KIOWA, the FARA program will be suspended for now. This means that the fancy helicopter in the image above will not be seen anytime soon.
Additionally, more BLACKHAWKs UH-60M, not the UH-60V, and CHINOOKs CH-47F will be built.
All points of the US ARMY announcement in detail:
- Conclusion of the development of the Army's new manned reconnaissance helicopter, the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), after completion of prototype activities in FY24.
- Production of the UH-60V version of the Blackhawk, which extends the service life of existing aircraft by 10 years, will be discontinued after FY24 due to significant cost increases.
- Shift in the start of production of the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) to allow enough time for integration into the AH-64 and UH-60 platforms.
- Cessation of operation and maintenance of the unmanned aircraft systems Shadow and Raven.
- In the future, the US ARMY will enter into a new multi-year contract for the procurement of the new UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter, which will have a lifespan of over 20 years, and invest in the modernization of the Blackhawk.
- The uncertainty about the future of the CH-47F Block II Chinook will be resolved by officially commencing production of this helicopter, with the aim of producing it in full scale in the future.
- Continuation of the FLRAA program (Future Long Range Assault Aircraft) as planned to ensure that the US ARMY can deploy the first operational unit in FY30.
- Increasing investments in research and development to enhance and accelerate the military's capabilities for unmanned aerial reconnaissance, including future tactical unmanned aircraft systems.