US Army imagines life after Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa

[SpArK]

US Army imagines life after Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa​

In reality the future doesn't look pretty for army aviation. Boeing's production line in Philadelphia for the CH-47 Chinook closes in 2017. The Sikorsky line in Connecticut for the UH-60 Black Hawk shuts down after 2022. And Boeing's line in Arizona for the AH-64 Apache kills the lights after 2025.

The army has two choices: continue buying new versions of the same aircraft in perpetuity, or start funding a massive development program for a replacement. Either way, the army needs to make a decision very soon. No decision means the army will be stuck with buying new versions of the same helicopters. This was the issue that army aviation officials publicly confronted last week in a rather glum symposium you can read about here.

But let's not dwell on all of that. Take a look at what could be the future below.

The army's aviation applied technology directorate (AATD) has published this vision for a future rotorcraft fleet, should the army decide to invest billions in a wholesale replacement. The so-called joint multi-role fleet would be based on common avionics and propulsion architectures, but supported by airframes tailored for each of the scout, utility, attack and cargo missions.

The Sikorsky X2 appears to be the stand-in for the Apache/Black Hawk replacement. The tiltrotor at right appears based on the Karem/Lockheed TR75 or the Boeing JCALS concepts. I'm not sure I've seen the rigid-rotor UAV design on the left before, but it seems to have more than a little A160 Hummingbird in it.


US Army imagines life after Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa - The DEW Line

 

[Capt.Popeye]

US Army imagines life after Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa​

In reality the future doesn't look pretty for army aviation. Boeing's production line in Philadelphia for the CH-47 Chinook closes in 2017. The Sikorsky line in Connecticut for the UH-60 Black Hawk shuts down after 2022. And Boeing's line in Arizona for the AH-64 Apache kills the lights after 2025.

The army has two choices: continue buying new versions of the same aircraft in perpetuity, or start funding a massive development program for a replacement. Either way, the army needs to make a decision very soon. No decision means the army will be stuck with buying new versions of the same helicopters. This was the issue that army aviation officials publicly confronted last week in a rather glum symposium you can read about here.

But let's not dwell on all of that. Take a look at what could be the future below.

The army's aviation applied technology directorate (AATD) has published this vision for a future rotorcraft fleet, should the army decide to invest billions in a wholesale replacement. The so-called joint multi-role fleet would be based on common avionics and propulsion architectures, but supported by airframes tailored for each of the scout, utility, attack and cargo missions.

The Sikorsky X2 appears to be the stand-in for the Apache/Black Hawk replacement. The tiltrotor at right appears based on the Karem/Lockheed TR75 or the Boeing JCALS concepts. I'm not sure I've seen the rigid-rotor UAV design on the left before, but it seems to have more than a little A160 Hummingbird in it.


US Army imagines life after Apache, Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa - The DEW Line

Its not "lights out" yet, not just yet. Are'nt they fishing for orders in India. If the orders materialise, that may give a (small) lease of life.

India ought to factor that in and negotiate really hard.