Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation

Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation
Lawmakers press Army aviation leadership on FARA cancelation

UH-60M Blackhawks from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky and CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing would have ended production in 2030 if the Army kept FARA going, a top service official testified.

Army cancels FARA helicopter program, makes other cuts in major aviation shakeup

Army cancels FARA helicopter program, makes other cuts in major aviation shakeup
Army cancels FARA helicopter program, makes other cuts in major aviation shakeup

In addition to halting the FARA competition, service leaders want to end UH-60 V Blackhawk production, postpone moving the Improved Turbine Engine Program into production, and phase out legacy drones.

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Sikorsky’s RAIDER X digital backbone drives success for the Army’s Modular Open Systems Approach

Sikorsky’s RAIDER X digital backbone drives success for the Army’s Modular Open Systems Approach
Sikorsky’s RAIDER X digital backbone drives success for the Army’s Modular Open Systems Approach

Sikorsky’s RAIDER X is designed to meet the U.S. Army’s Modular Open Systems Approach standards for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft competition.

Army delivers first ITEP engines to Bell, Sikorsky for FARA helos

Army delivers first ITEP engines to Bell, Sikorsky for FARA helos
Army delivers first ITEP engines to Bell, Sikorsky for FARA helos

The simultaneous delivery to the two competitors comes after an approximately year-long delay for the new engine and paves the way for a flight test next year.

FARA analysis of alternatives set for end of the year, official says

FARA analysis of alternatives set for end of the year, official says
FARA analysis of alternatives set for end of the year, official says

The analysis of alternatives is needed for the program’s milestone B decision, and could help quell some lawmakers’ concerns about the Army’s acquisition strategy.

Army begins new engine acceptance for FARA prototypes

Army begins new engine acceptance for FARA prototypes
Army begins new engine acceptance for FARA prototypes

“Both engines are on-track to be delivered by the government to the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competitive prototype vendors by the end of October 2023,” the Army wrote in a press release today.

Sikorsky awarded $2.7B contract for 35 CH-53K King Stallions, some bound for Israel

Sikorsky awarded $2.7B contract for 35 CH-53K King Stallions, some bound for Israel
Sikorsky awarded $2.7B contract for 35 CH-53K King Stallions, some bound for Israel

In total, the Marine Corps plans to purchase up to 200 CH-53Ks as part of the program of record.

‘No more impasses’: Air Force to get helo technical data from Lockheed, Boeing

‘No more impasses’: Air Force to get helo technical data from Lockheed, Boeing
‘No more impasses’: Air Force to get helo technical data from Lockheed, Boeing

Obtaining the technical data packages from the two prime contractors will enable the Air Force to conduct more maintenance on its own and facilitate greater competition for sustainment contracts.

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec
UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

“We haven’t seen training requirements and there’s a whole plethora of different chapters that are yet to come, but the MoD has been as good as they can be in drip feeding us information,” said Lenny Brown, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK

Sikorsky to reveal UK New Medium Helicopter production plans once requirements set

Sikorsky to reveal UK New Medium Helicopter production plans once requirements set
Sikorsky to reveal UK New Medium Helicopter production plans once requirements set

“We really just want to see the final tender and understand what the requirements are going to look like before we make a public announcement on our approach,” said Paul Lemmo, President of Sikorsky.

Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts

Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts
Sikorsky spins up to defend HH-60W combat rescue helicopter from planned cuts

With possible alternatives still undefined and likely several years away, Sikorsky and supporters are leaning on Congress to rescue the HH-60W from planned cuts. But will the argument win the day?

The 3 key questions the Army is asking about the UH-60 Black Hawk’s future

The 3 key questions the Army is asking about the UH-60 Black Hawk’s future
The 3 key questions the Army is asking about the UH-60 Black Hawk’s future

“For the next 40 to 60 years, I see us continuing to incrementally improve [the Black Hawk fleet],” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville told lawmakers on April 19.

Engine production delay slips FARA prototype first flight until late 2024, Army official says

Engine production delay slips FARA prototype first flight until late 2024, Army official says
Engine production delay slips FARA prototype first flight until late 2024, Army official says

“Manufacturing challenges” continue to plague the Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program and delay FARA flight tests.

Norway approves $1.1 billion MH-60R Seahawk deal for partial NH-90 fleet replacement

Norway approves $1.1 billion MH-60R Seahawk deal for partial NH-90 fleet replacement
Norway approves $1.1 billion MH-60R Seahawk deal for partial NH-90 fleet replacement

The new helicopters, to be based at Bardufoss Air Station in northern Norway, are to be used by the Norwegian Coast Guard for antisubmarine warfare (ASW) operations, but Oslo still has to decide on a separate acquisition to replace NH90 ASW capable platforms.