• DMCA
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Whitelist
Friday, May 27, 2022
Survival Society
  • Home
  • Naval Survival
  • Land Survival
  • Survival Strategy
  • Defense
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Naval Survival
  • Land Survival
  • Survival Strategy
  • Defense
No Result
View All Result
Survival Society
No Result
View All Result

Divining the future of heavy vertical lift in the Army – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

wbstadm by wbstadm
November 19, 2021
in Land Survival
0
Divining the future of heavy vertical lift in the Army – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

The Army has three Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) prototype aircraft for developmental testing of the C-47 Chinook Block II program.

The Army considers its Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program as a “family” of aircraft. So far, this family has only two members: the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) to replace Black Hawk transports and the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) to fill the role left by the retirement of the Kiowa Warrior and since filled by AH-64 Apaches.

When the Army first began to plan for its FVL family, it had aspirations for additional siblings — specifically a heavy lift cargo version to replace the CH-47 Chinook. While the Army continues to upgrade CH-47D helicopters to the CH-47F standard, which is primarily an avionics and digital systems upgrade not necessarily related to performance, the best-case scenario for a potential heavy lift FVL platform is kickoff in the 2030-2035 timeframe. In the meantime, the Army will be tasked with lifting heavier hardware such as full-armored Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.

To divine the Army’s present thinking on future heavy lift, we talked with MG David Francis, commanding general, US Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, AL.

Breaking Defense: There’s lots of discussion about FARA and FLRAA but less discussion about modernizing heavy lift under FVL. What’s the operational status of heavy lift today? Also, how is the Army balancing funding new development while still supporting the operational needs of today? One of those operational needs, I assume, is having the ability to carry heavier loads like a fully armored JLTV.

Maj. Gen. David Francis accepts the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence colors from Lt. Gen. Michael Lundy as he assumes command of US Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker.

Francis: Future Vertical Lift is the Army’s number-three modernization priority and part of the 31+4 (priority programs). FARA and FLRAA are the aviation branch’s number one and two modernization priorities and critical to the Army’s ability to fight and win in multi-domain operations. Army aviation is focused on fielding those capabilities to our soldiers beginning in fiscal year 2030.

CH-47 is the Army aviation’s newest fleet of aircraft and will continue to fill the role of heavy lift in the Army for years to come. The Army will continue to analyze and experiment to evaluate capability gaps for vertical lift platforms. As we begin to field FARA and FLRAA, the Army will continue to analyze available technologies to fill the role of FVL heavy lift.

Breaking Defense: What’s the present-day thinking about how to keep heavy lift relevant in the coming years until the time FVL addresses it with a new program, which could be 20+ years in the future? Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville has testified about needing the CH-47 Block II capability, but there’s not been any funding for heavy lift of any kind.

Francis: Present-day thinking about keeping heavy lift relevant in the coming years is focused around incorporating targeted modernization of the enduring fleet and incorporating Modular Open System Architecture into AH-64, UH-60, and CH-47. We have also executed other changes across the DOTMLPF-P (Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities-Policy) to ensure our enduring fleet remains relevant for multi-domain operations.

Targeted modernization and open system approaches will not only improve the enduring fleet, but will inform and integrate into future vertical-lift platforms. Examples of targeted modernization are ITEP (Improved Turbine Engine Program), improvements to ASE (aircraft survivability equipment), the degraded visual environment program, munitions, and upgraded radios.

Breaking Defense: Boeing is obviously pushing for CH-47 Block II, and I understand that the Army is conducting systems testing at the flight test facility in Huntsville, Ala. What are your thoughts on upgrading existing platforms to carry more cargo?

Francis: The Army has three Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) prototype aircraft for developmental testing of the Block II program. Two of those aircraft are located at the Boeing Test facility in Mesa, AZ. One aircraft is located in Redstone Arsenal, AL at the Redstone Test Center. The Block II program is designed to upgrade existing MH-47 and CH-47 aircraft to increase payload capacity and integrate other product improvements. The Army is currently executing the ITEP program that will restore performance on the AH-64 and UH-60 aircraft. The Army will continue to experiment and analyze capability gaps to ensure the enduring fleet remains viable in MDO (multi-domain operations).

Breaking Defense: What role will Army heavy lift play in the Great Power competition against near-peer/peer threats like China and Russia?

Francis: The fundamental capabilities Army aviation provides to the Joint Combined Arms Team can be summarized in three broad categories: “See” (reconnaissance and security), “Move” (air assault, air movement and aeromedical evacuation), and “Strike” (close support and interdiction).

Army aviation must continue to improve its reach, survivability, lethality, and sustainment in order to continue to provide these fundamental capabilities to the Army in the future operational environment. Heavy lift plays a critical role in the Army’s ability to “Move” or maneuver, providing an asymmetric advantage to our ground commanders now and in the future.

By executing our current modernization strategy that includes FARA, FLRAA, and targeted modernization of the enduring fleet, Army aviation continues to be dominant in the lower tier of the air domain and provide the best capabilities to commanders and soldiers on the ground.



Source
Divining the future of heavy vertical lift in the Army – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense is written by Barry Rosenberg for breakingdefense.com

Tags: Above the Lawabovethelaw.comAH-64 Apachearmyassociate salariesbiglawblawgBoeingBoeing Chinook Spotlight 2021CH-47F Block ICH-47F Block IIclerkshipsDepartment of DefenseDODFARAFuture Attack Reconnaissance AircraftFuture Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft / FARAFuture Long-Range Assault Aircraft / FLRAAFuture Vertical Lift / FVLFVLITEPjudgeslaw clerkslaw firm newslaw firm rankingslaw firm salarieslaw schoolslawyer bloglegal bloglegal gossiplegal newslegal scandallegal tabloidmulti-domain operationspartner salariesprofits per partner listSpotlighttechnology
Previous Post

Navy finds fix for ‘unacceptable’ LCS issue; taxpayers likely to cover half of costs – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

Next Post

‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

Next Post
‘Almost a melding’ of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC’s Kurt Campbell – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

'Almost a melding' of US, UK, Aussie services coming: NSC's Kurt Campbell - Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Categories

  • Defense
  • Land Survival
  • Naval Survival
  • Survival Strategy
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Army modernization programs need to put ‘points on the board’: Acquisition chief – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

Army modernization programs need to put ‘points on the board’: Acquisition chief – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

February 17, 2022
Lockheed Martin walks away from $4.4B Aerojet Rocketdyne acquisition – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

Lockheed Martin walks away from $4.4B Aerojet Rocketdyne acquisition – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

February 14, 2022
Starting Seeds, The Easy And Smart Way Off The Grid News

Starting Seeds, The Easy And Smart Way Off The Grid News

March 11, 2022
China’s Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape: CSIS – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

China’s Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape: CSIS – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

June 16, 2021
After DoD’s $1.5B move, Army and Marines rush to buy new Javelins, Stingers

After DoD’s $1.5B move, Army and Marines rush to buy new Javelins, Stingers

0
Workplace Hate Crimes | Carol Cambridge

Workplace Hate Crimes | Carol Cambridge

0
Situational Awareness | Carol Cambridge

Situational Awareness | Carol Cambridge

0
Survival Mindset vs. Victim Mentality

Survival Mindset vs. Victim Mentality

0
After DoD’s $1.5B move, Army and Marines rush to buy new Javelins, Stingers

After DoD’s $1.5B move, Army and Marines rush to buy new Javelins, Stingers

May 6, 2022
A Littoral Combat Ship deploys to 6th Fleet for the first time

A Littoral Combat Ship deploys to 6th Fleet for the first time

May 6, 2022
For first time, France talks openly about sending weapons to Ukraine

For first time, France talks openly about sending weapons to Ukraine

May 5, 2022
Marines’ new aviation plan in the works: General – Breaking Defense Breaking Defense

New Marine Corps aviation plan makes ‘digital interoperability’ a top priority

May 3, 2022

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • DMCA
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Whitelist

© 2021 All Rights Reserved survivalsociety.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Naval Survival
  • Land Survival
  • Survival Strategy
  • Defense

© 2021 All Rights Reserved survivalsociety.com