“In an effort… to push schedule, we did not have any slack in our schedule and that’s no way to manage developmental programs,” said the Program Executive Officer for Aviation, Maj. Gen. Robert Barrie.
“If we don't turn our recruiting situation around, I can't guarantee you that the Army won't have to make some more substantial potential force structure reductions,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told senators.
“It’s getting after interoperability. Obviously, we don't fight alone and it's going to take a team of teams to fight,” said Maj. Gen. Wally Rugen.
The Army chose the Bell-Textron bird based on a prototype, but an Army official predicted "very little" change for what soldiers will end up flying.
It's been roughly four years since the service put the brakes on buying the CH-47F Chinook Block II configuration, but a decision is expected this calendar year.
“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.
“The milestone decision authority is following a very deliberate and rigorous review process to ensure that the 60V is ready for full-rate production,” a spokesperson for the Program Executive Office for Aviation told Breaking Defense.