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Archives by category > Helicopters & Rotary (RSS)

Snakes and Rotors: The H-1 Helicopter Program

Mar 31, 2023 04:56 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: Bahrain has been approved by the State Department for a possible Foreign Military Sale of equipment and services to refurbish 24 AH-1W multi-role helicopters. The estimated total cost is $350 million and includes refurbishment of a full-motion Aircraft Procedures Trainer, missile launchers, spare aircraft engines, spare parts, support, training, publications, and logistics program support. The sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats and will not alter the military balance in the region. The principal contractor for the sale will be Bell Corporation, Fort Worth, TX, and implementation will not require any additional US government or contractor representatives in Bahrain.

Neville Dawson: UH-1Y & AH-1Z

UH-1Y and AH-1Z
by Neville Dawson

The US Marines’ helicopter force is aging at all levels, from banana-shaped CH-46 Sea Knight transports that are far older than their pilots, to the 1980s-era UH-1N Hueys and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters that make up the Corps’ helicopter assault force. While the tilt-rotor V-22 Osprey program has staggered along for almost 2 decades under accidents, technical delays, and cost issues, replacement of the USMC’s backbone helicopter assets has languished. Given the high-demand scenarios inherent in the current war, other efforts are clearly required.

Enter the H-1 program, the USMC’s plan to remanufacture older helicopters into new and improved UH-1Y utility and AH-1Z attack helicopters. The new versions would discard the signature 2-bladed rotors for modern 4-bladed improvements, redo the aircraft’s electronics, and add improved engines and weapons to offer a new level of performance. It seemed simple, but hasn’t quite worked out that way. The H-1 program has encountered its share of delays and issues, but the program survived its review, and continued on into production and deployment.

DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This article covers the H-1 helicopter programs’ rationales and changes, the upgrades involved in each model, program developments and annual budgets, the full timeline of contracts and key program developments, and related research sources.

Continue Reading… »

The New Chinooks: Boeing’s Modern H-47 Heavy-Lift Helicopters

Mar 30, 2023 04:56 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: South Korea has approved a plan to purchase new heavy-lift CH-47F Chinook helicopters from the US defense firm Boeing to replace its aging CH-47D fleet. The Defense Project Promotion Committee has endorsed a $1.15 billion plan to acquire the helicopters through 2028, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The number of new helicopters to be purchased has not been disclosed by DAPA. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency had announced on Dec. 6, 2022 that South Korea has been cleared to purchase 18 Boeing CH-47F helicopters as part of a Foreign Military Sale worth up to $1.5 billion.

CH-47Fs Take-off

CH-47Fs take off

DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G Chinook helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. These helicopters’ distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030.

The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win was terminated, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. International orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Britain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UAE, with India and other countries expected to follow.

Continue Reading… »

CH-53K: The U.S. Marines’ HLR Helicopter Program

Mar 23, 2023 04:58 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: Sikorsky won a $120 million deal to provide logistics, engineering and modification install support for the H-53 helicopter for the Marine Corps, Navy, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut; and various locations within the continental US, and is expected to be completed in March 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued.
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Sikorsky: CH-53K from LHD

CH-53K concept

The U.S. Marines have a problem. They rely on their CH-53E Super Stallion medium-heavy lift helicopters to move troops, vehicles, and supplies off of their ships. But the helicopters are wearing out. Fast. The pace demanded by the Global War on Terror is relentless, and usage rates are 3 times normal. Attrition is taking its toll. Over the past few years, CH-53s have been recalled from “boneyard” storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, in order to maintain fleet numbers in the face of recent losses and forced retirements. Now, there are no flyable spares left.

Enter the Heavy Lift Replacement (HLR) program, now known as the CH-53K. It aims to offer notable performance improvements over the CH-53E, in a similar airframe. The question is whether its service entry delay to 2018-2019 will come too late to offset a serious decline in Marine aviation.

Continue Reading… »

The C-130J: New Hercules & Old Bottlenecks

Mar 21, 2023 04:56 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: On March 15, 2023, during exercise Guerrier Nordique 23, a joint effort between the United States and Canada resulted in the first-ever platoon movement of its kind. Thirty-seven US and Canadian soldiers were tactically inserted on Arctic Ocean ice east of Little Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada, via an LC-130 Hercules. The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, flying with a ski-equipped C-130, played a significant role in this operation with their expertise in snow and ice landings. They were able to land on specially built skiways and ski landing areas thanks to airmen who build and maintain those runways. The LC-130H that was used in this operation was equipped with 4 by 20-foot skis.

C130J-30 Australian Flares

RAAF C-130J-30, flares

The C-130 Hercules remains one of the longest-running aerospace manufacturing programs of all time. Since 1956, over 40 models and variants have served as the tactical airlift backbone for over 50 nations. The C-130J looks similar, but the number of changes almost makes it a new aircraft. Those changes also created issues; the program has been the focus of a great deal of controversy in America – and even of a full program restructuring in 2006. Some early concerns from critics were put to rest when the C-130J demonstrated in-theater performance on the front lines that was a major improvement over its C-130E/H predecessors. A valid follow-on question might be: does it break the bottleneck limitations that have hobbled a number of multi-billion dollar US Army vehicle development programs?

C-130J customers now include Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, India, Israel, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Tunisia, and the United States. American C-130J purchases are taking place under both annual budgets and supplemental wartime funding, in order to replace tactical transport and special forces fleets that are flying old aircraft and in dire need of major repairs. This DID FOCUS Article describes the C-130J, examines the bottleneck issue, covers global developments for the C-130J program, and looks at present and emerging competitors.

Continue Reading… »

AH-64E Apache Block III: Evolving Battlefield Roles

Mar 20, 2023 04:58 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: Boeing won a $1 billion modification for the Apache AH-64E full-rate production. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2027. The Apache attack helicopter is a combat proven aircraft manufactured by American aerospace and defence company Boeing for the US Armed Forces.

AH-64D helos Afghanistan

AH-64 in Afghanistan

The AH-64 Apache will remain the US Army’s primary armed helicopter for several more decades, thanks to the collapse of the RAH-66 Comanche program, and the retirement sans replacement of the US Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). Apaches also serve with a number of American allies, some of whom have already expressed interest in upgrading or expanding their fleets.

The AH-64E Guardian Block III (AB3) is the helicopter’s next big step forward. It incorporates 26 key new-technology insertions that cover flight performance, maintenance costs, sensors & electronics, and even the ability to control UAVs as part of manned-unmanned teaming (MUT). In July 2006, Boeing and U.S. Army officials signed the initial development contract for Block III upgrades to the current and future Apache fleet, via a virtual signing ceremony. By November 2011, the 1st production helicopter had been delivered. So… how many helicopters will be modified under the AH-64 Block III program, what do these modifications include, how is the program structured, and what has been happening since that 2006 award? The short answer is: a lot, including export interest and sales.

Continue Reading… »

Sikorsky’s $8.5-11.7B “Multi-Year 8” H-60 Helicopter Contract

Mar 07, 2023 04:58 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: CAE USA won a $35.9 million deal for the production, delivery, installation, verification testing, and associated logistics support of one exportable, non-motion MH-60R Tactical Operational Flight Trainer configured for the Republic of Korea. Work will take place ind Florida, Maryland, Quebec, Florida and South Korea. Expected completion will be in December 2026.

HH-60Ms

US Army HH-60Ms

In July 2012, the US military signed another huge contract with Sikorsky. With production of the Army’s HH/UH-60M, and the Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters, all in full swing, there’s no question about the need for future orders. In that environment, multi-year contracts allow efficiencies in purchasing, and security of staffing, throughout Sikorsky’s supply chain. These new helicopter types are also available to Foreign Military Sales class customers, under the American contract’s advantageous pricing and terms. The UH-60M, MH-60S and MH-60R models have already inked export deals, and official requests indicate that more deals are in the pipeline.

The new multi-year 2013-2017 contract could be worth up to $11.7 billion, and follows a 5-year, multi-service “MYP-VII” contract in December 2007. Like its predecessor, it covers UH-60M Black Hawk troop transport and light cargo helicopters, Army HH-60M SAR (Search And Rescue) / MEDEVAC (MEDical EVACuation) helicopters, and the US Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

Continue Reading… »

American AH-64D Apache: War Replacement Contracts

Feb 20, 2023 04:56 UTC

Latest updates[?]: DRS Training & Control Systems won an $11.3 million deal for maintenance and overhaul of the AH-64 Apache Digital Captive Boresight Harmonization Kit. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 9, 2028. US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
Latest updates: Total rises to 68.

AH-64 crash

Replacement required

War takes its toll on equipment, as well as men. In some cases, it wears out. In other cases, enemy fire or accidents destroy equipment. The USA has recognized this fact by funding wartime replacement expenditures as supplemental funding, which is outside the normal budgetary process. The intent is that this money will be spent on replacing equipment that has been worn out, damaged or destroyed, or will be used to provide specialized capabilities like MRAP mine-resistant vehicles that are directly related to front-line demands.

Admittedly, this hasn’t always been true. Politicians are what they are, and so are large organizations like the military. One area where this ethic has undoubtedly been honored, however, has been the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fleet. This article covers US Army Wartime Replacement Aircraft (WRA) AH-64D Longbow buys, which are the only truly new attack helicopters in the America’s inventory. That will change with the new Block III model, which is more advanced than the WRAs.

  • AH-64D Program: Past and Present [updated]
  • AH-64D WRAs: Program Contracts [updated]
  • The AH-64’s Future
  • Additional Readings [NEW]

Continue Reading… »

V-22 Osprey: The Multi-Year Buys

Feb 06, 2023 04:54 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has sparked controversy with the start of its series of flights of its MV-22 Ospreys at Tachikawa Airfield, and the move was met with protests outside the camp. The aircraft took off from JGSDF Camp Kisarazu, located in the city of Kisarazu in the Chiba Prefecture southeast of Tokyo, on February 1 and made its way to Tachikawa Airfield in the western suburbs of Tokyo. Once it arrived at Tachikawa Airfield, the V-22 began a series of maneuvering exercises, including circular flights and landing and takeoff operations. It circled the airfield from the east to the north side, performing these operations, before repeating them on the east side of the airfield and then taking off after approximately 15 minutes.

V-22 Cutaway

In March 2008, the Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, TX received a $10.4 billion modification that converted the previous N00019-07-C-0001 advance acquisition contract to a fixed-price-incentive-fee, multi-year contract. The new contract rose to $10.92 billion, and was used to buy 143 MV-22 (for USMC) and 31 CV-22 (Air Force Special Operations) Osprey aircraft, plus associated manufacturing tooling to move the aircraft into full production. A follow-on MYP-II contract covered another 99 Ospreys (92 MV-22, 7 CV-22) for $6.524 billion. Totals: $17.444 billion for 235 MV-22s and 38 CV-22s, an average of $63.9 million each.

The V-22 tilt-rotor program has been beset by controversy throughout its 20-year development period. Despite these issues, and the emergence of competitive but more conventional compound helicopter technologies like Piasecki’s X-49 Speedhawk and Sikorsky’s X2, the V-22 program continues to move forward. This DID Spotlight article looks at the V-22’s multi-year purchase contract from 2008-12 and 2013-2017, plus associated contracts for key V-22 systems, program developments, and research sources.

Continue Reading… »

Pave Hawks – New Combat Rescue Helicopter

Jan 18, 2023 04:58 UTC DII

Latest updates[?]: The US Air Force has started phasing out one of its oldest and most reliable assets, the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. This move comes as the Air Force’s 55th RQS (Rescue Squadron) has just returned from a successful deployment, during which the Pave Hawk fleet played a crucial role in a variety of missions, including personnel recovery, casualty evacuation and on-call support to joint and coalition forces. The 55th RQS, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, is now preparing to fully integrate the new HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter into its fleet. This newer helicopter model is expected to bring increased aircraft availability and newer technologies to the table, which will be leveraged by 55th RQS aircrews to continue the vital mission of combat search and rescue operations.

Pave Hawk, Afghanistan

HH-60G, Afghanistan

In 2006 the US Air Force awarded Boeing a contract worth north of $10 billion for 141 HH-47 combat search-and-rescue helicopters, but by mid-2009 the CSAR-X program was cancelled during its System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase by the Pentagon. At the time Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote that this program had “a troubled acquisition history and raises the fundamental question of whether this important mission can only be accomplished by yet another single-service solution.”

That cancellation may have been warranted, but the underlying operational constraints are increasing as years go by, with a tentative replacement for aging helicopters that keeps slipping. In 2012, the Air Force got the green light to take another crack at it. The competition narrowed to a single bidder, and after wobbly budgetary announcements, the program was greenlighted. By the end of 2014 it was officially designated as HH-60W.

Continue Reading… »

JAGM: Joint Air-Ground Missile Again

Jan 02, 2023 04:58 UTC

Latest updates[?]: Lockheed Martin has made significant progress in the development of its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The company conducted a successful flight test of the JAGM Medium Range (JAGM-MR) on November 16 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The missile flew for 16 kilometers, twice the range of the JAGM. This longer range is seen as a major advantage for military operations, as it allows for greater standoff from enemy locations. The ability to operate out of range of enemy weapons systems is critical for the military’s efforts to protect its personnel and assets. In addition to the increased range, the JAGM-MR also features a tri-mode seeker that combines a low-cost imaging sensor with semi-active laser and millimeter wave sensors. This technology was originally required by the U.S. Army, but the requirement was later changed to a dual-mode seeker due to cost concerns. However, the price of tri-mode seeker technology has since become more affordable, and the Army is now looking to address its aviation strategy with a JAGM Increment 3 requirement that would increase the range of the missile and add the tri-mode seeker.

Raytheon/Boeing on JAGM

JAGM infographic

The AGM-114 Hellfire missile remains a mainstay for the US military and its allies around the world, and efforts to replace it have repeatedly stalled. The Joint Common Missile (JCM) was meant to offer new guidance options, and use on fast jets as well as helicopters and UAVs. It performed well, but was canceled. It returned from the procurement dead as JAGM, a program that has undergone several major changes within itself. While other air forces field fast-jet solutions like MBDA’s Brimstone, JAGM will initially be limited to helicopters and UAVs, as a dual-mode guidance upgrade to current model Hellfire missiles.

Continue Reading… »
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