Army to rely on FMS, reinvesting to ensure helicopter manufacturers stay ‘healthy’
Army senior leaders, including Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, emphasized reliance on foreign military sales (FMS) and reinvestment to sustain production of Apache, Blackhawk, and Chinook helicopters amid declining procurement funding. Recent FMS contracts include 96 Apaches to Poland and 60 Chinooks to Germany, with a significant deal to Greece for Blackhawks valued over $1 billion.
Army pushes industry to share costs as GE seeks more funding for ITEP testing
General Electric Aerospace seeks additional funding for the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) amid Army calls for industry cost-sharing in testing. Maj. Gen. Clair Gill emphasized the need for manufacturers to contribute financially. ITEP has faced delays, with the Army previously receiving $175 million in FY26 and $63 million in reconciliation funding for development and testing.
Army plans initial contract for HADES ‘ultra long-range’ effects in coming months
Army plans to award contracts for HADES ultra long-range effects, with initial short-term experimentation contracts expected soon. Andrew Evans emphasized a teams-of-teams approach, fostering competition among multiple vendors to drive innovation. The goal is to develop launched effects capable of reaching 1,000 km, with air-launch testing anticipated within a year. Security hinges on successful execution.
Army making ‘significant headway’ in ATI aviation overhaul
Army officials report significant progress in the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) aimed at modernizing the aviation fleet, specifically transitioning from AH-64D to AH-64E models. Col. Tim Jaeger noted that two-thirds of the fleet has been rebalanced, with 1,100 aircraft transferred. Procurement funding for Apaches has decreased from $361.7M in FY26 to $1.5M in FY27.