US Army News and updates general discussion

[Terran]

Stinger has been due for a modernization program for a while, the US army was even talking about a replacement before Ukraine went hot. With so many of the stocks now being used, the issue that exiting Stinger production blocks used scavenged antiquated chip sets no longer available in large supply limiting that can be restored. It seem like any technology demonstration or upgrades to the Stinger family are probably going to be guaranteed safe passage through the budget battles.

 

[Terran]

Bell takes FVL FLRAA.

Bell Textron's Valor wins Army’s FLRAA competition to replace Black Hawk - Breaking Defense

The award is worth up to $1.3 billion, but a follow-on production contract could put the program in the range of $70 billion over its lifetime.

breakingdefense.com

 

[John Fedup]

Bell takes FVL FLRAA.

Bell Textron's Valor wins Army’s FLRAA competition to replace Black Hawk - Breaking Defense

The award is worth up to $1.3 billion, but a follow-on production contract could put the program in the range of $70 billion over its lifetime.

breakingdefense.com

I guess this is not a surprise. The Valor testing as always well ahead of the LM Sikorsky entry. Range and speed specifications were better as well.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

|"The deal for the next-generation helicopter is worth up to $1.3 billion and is set to replace roughly 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters and around 1,200 Apache attack helicopters around 2030. FLRAA will not serve as a one-for-one replacement for existing aircraft, but it will take over the roles of the Black Hawk, long the workhorse of the Army for getting troops to and around the battlefield, and the Apache, focused on attack missions."|

US Army makes largest helicopter award in 40 years

The Army has selected who will build its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft to replace the iconic Black Hawk helicopter.

www.defensenews.com

Bell's V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Picked As Army's Black Hawk Replacement

Bell's V-280 tiltrotor bests Sikorsky and Boeing's Defiant X coaxial helicopter to replace the Army's aging fleet of iconic UH-60 Black Hawks.

www.thedrive.com

As expected it will be not a one-for-one replacement, the price per airframe will become lower than now ofcourse, because of the large volume of this procurement, but even then i think the price will be higher than a new UH-60. I am quite surprised that the V-280 Valor will also replace the AH-64, that means that a heavy armed version is also under development.

I expect that the V-280 will be offered soon for the export.

 

[Redlands18]

|"The deal for the next-generation helicopter is worth up to $1.3 billion and is set to replace roughly 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters and around 1,200 Apache attack helicopters around 2030. FLRAA will not serve as a one-for-one replacement for existing aircraft, but it will take over the roles of the Black Hawk, long the workhorse of the Army for getting troops to and around the battlefield, and the Apache, focused on attack missions."|

US Army makes largest helicopter award in 40 years

The Army has selected who will build its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft to replace the iconic Black Hawk helicopter.

www.defensenews.com

Bell's V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Picked As Army's Black Hawk Replacement

Bell's V-280 tiltrotor bests Sikorsky and Boeing's Defiant X coaxial helicopter to replace the Army's aging fleet of iconic UH-60 Black Hawks.

www.thedrive.com

As expected it will be not a one-for-one replacement, the price per airframe will become lower than now ofcourse, because of the large volume of this procurement, but even then i think the price will be higher than a new UH-60. I am quite surprised that the V-280 Valor will also replace the AH-64, that means that a heavy armed version is also under development.

I expect that the V-280 will be offered soon for the export.

Considering the US militaries poor record of introducing all new advanced systems in the last 30 years, I would not get too excited about this program being on time, on budget, numbers being slashed or even proceeding to full production.

 

[Volkodav]

|"The deal for the next-generation helicopter is worth up to $1.3 billion and is set to replace roughly 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters and around 1,200 Apache attack helicopters around 2030. FLRAA will not serve as a one-for-one replacement for existing aircraft, but it will take over the roles of the Black Hawk, long the workhorse of the Army for getting troops to and around the battlefield, and the Apache, focused on attack missions."|

US Army makes largest helicopter award in 40 years

The Army has selected who will build its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft to replace the iconic Black Hawk helicopter.

www.defensenews.com

Bell's V-280 Valor Tiltrotor Picked As Army's Black Hawk Replacement

Bell's V-280 tiltrotor bests Sikorsky and Boeing's Defiant X coaxial helicopter to replace the Army's aging fleet of iconic UH-60 Black Hawks.

www.thedrive.com

As expected it will be not a one-for-one replacement, the price per airframe will become lower than now ofcourse, because of the large volume of this procurement, but even then i think the price will be higher than a new UH-60. I am quite surprised that the V-280 Valor will also replace the AH-64, that means that a heavy armed version is also under development.

I expect that the V-280 will be offered soon for the export.

This raises the question of why Australia is replacing tiger and mrh with legacy platforms when Valor could potentially achieve IOC then FOC in similar time frame. Perhaps money would be better spent on get well program for MRH, supplement with extra Chooks, and see if some extra tigers are available from other operators, then move straight to the Valour

 

[OldTex]

As expected it will be not a one-for-one replacement, the price per airframe will become lower than now ofcourse, because of the large volume of this procurement, but even then i think the price will be higher than a new UH-60. I am quite surprised that the V-280 Valor will also replace the AH-64, that means that a heavy armed version is also under development.

The US Army FVL (Future Vertical Lift) program aims to introduce the next generation of helicopters to replace the utility (UH-60) and attack (AH-64) helicopters currently in use. The FLRAA (Future Long Range Air Assault) only replaces the utility helicopters. The yet to be decided FARA (Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft) part of the program will be for the AH-64 replacement.

None of this will prevent future operators from wanting to strap rockets and guns on utility lift aircraft to provide a limited attack capable aircraft (like the UH-1 Bushrangers). Not ideal but better than nothing.

 

[Volkodav]

The US Army FVL (Future Vertical Lift) program aims to introduce the next generation of helicopters to replace the utility (UH-60) and attack (AH-64) helicopters currently in use. The FLRAA (Future Long Range Air Assault) only replaces the utility helicopters. The yet to be decided FARA (Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft) part of the program will be for the AH-64 replacement.

None of this will prevent future operators from wanting to strap rockets and guns on utility lift aircraft to provide a limited attack capable aircraft (like the UH-1 Bushrangers). Not ideal but better than nothing.

It will likely be an initial expedient as the Values leave the Guardians in their dust. Dare I suggest this may finally be a an actual reasonable mission to retain the A-10 for, escorting Valours.

 

[OldTex]

This raises the question of why Australia is replacing tiger and mrh with legacy platforms when Valor could potentially achieve IOC then FOC in similar time frame. Perhaps money would be better spent on get well program for MRH, supplement with extra Chooks, and see if some extra tigers are available from other operators, then move straight to the Valour

Perhaps this is another option that might come out of the defence review. It is not unheard of for an existing platform to be extended in service so a complete generation can be jumped in the future (such as Army going from KPQ-1 Radars to TPQ-36 )

 

[Volkodav]

Perhaps this is another option that might come out of the defence review. It is not unheard of for an existing platform to be extended in service so a complete generation can be jumped in the future (such as Army going from KPQ-1 Radars to TPQ-36 )

Personally I think the MRH was a complete waste of money but just because we should have life extended the UH-60A or bought Limas fifteen years ago, doesn't mean dumping MRH now I'd the best way forward.

Get the new toys for 6AVN but wait for Valour to reequip 5AVN IMO. I would be interested in Takaos thoughts on this, it's much more his domain than mine.

 

[Terran]

The US Army FVL (Future Vertical Lift) program aims to introduce the next generation of helicopters to replace the utility (UH-60) and attack (AH-64) helicopters currently in use. The FLRAA (Future Long Range Air Assault) only replaces the utility helicopters. The yet to be decided FARA (Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft) part of the program will be for the AH-64 replacement.

None of this will prevent future operators from wanting to strap rockets and guns on utility lift aircraft to provide a limited attack capable aircraft (like the UH-1 Bushrangers). Not ideal but better than nothing.

FARA will partially replace Ah64 but only in that when the Army retired the Oh58, they were left without a scout. The Pentagon took Ah64 from National Guard units and plugged them into active duty as scouts. Basically half the fleet changed hands to gap fill. Once FARA is established those Apache go back to the NG. FARA doesn’t have the capability of the Apache in payloads and ordinance they are Light Gunships by doctrine.
A heavy Gunship version of FVL was always in the portfolio. However it’s one of the undefined ones.
Sikorsky conceptualized a full attack helicopter configuration of the Defiant X. Tandom seats nose gun and all. Sikorsky and Boeing Give us a Glimpse of Their New Attack Helicopter Concept
Bell’s ideas have varied some were centered on trying to use the same basic configuration as the V280 but modified kinda like the Battlehawk version of the Black Hawk.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1049777954354540544

Earlier version had the missiles popping out through the belly of the craft as far back as day 1 of V280.

another seemed to be a light Gunship with Stealthy features.

Bell Pushes V-280 Gunship, Shipboard Variants: Recon In Works - Breaking Defense

One variant, in Army colors, has missile racks sticking out of what was originally the passenger cabin — a conversion that units could potentially install or remove as needed in the field. The other, with Marine Corps markings, is a sleeker thoroughbred gunship with internal weapons bays...

breakingdefense.com

However because it’s as yet undefined Boeing has been pushing hard to try and kitbash ideas to FVL the Apache. Boeing Is Developing A New High-Speed Apache Gunship With A Pusher Prop On Its Tail
The latest version is more conservative.

Boeing floats 'Modernized Apache' concept for Army's future attack helicopter - Breaking Defense

"The Apache is going to be the US Army's principal attack helicopter for the next 25 to 30 years. There's nothing right now that is on the books that's going to replace the Apache,” said Jessie Farrington, Boeing’s director of attack helicopter global sales and marketing.

breakingdefense.com

They are hoping the Army will retain AH64 and CH47 well into 2060. Which isn’t impossible yet seems unlikely atleast for the US Army.

 

[ngatimozart]

Somebody has become a tad creative

Leaked plans for extending the range of HIMARS

​

I can see that working, not.

 

[kato]

I can see that working, not.

That plan obviously needs the MLRS pod transplanted onto a M113 to work.

 

[At lakes]

Lockheed's Sikorsky seeks review of Black Hawk replacement contract

Looks like the cat fight in the courts is about to start. The V280 in my opinion is the better machine and it looks a hellava lot better than the Sikorsky machine

 

[ngatimozart]

Lockheed's Sikorsky seeks review of Black Hawk replacement contract

Looks like the cat fight in the courts is about to start. The V280 in my opinion is the better machine and it looks a hellava lot better than the Sikorsky machine

Well there's the 100 day review by the Govt Accountability Office that has to occur first. The GAO can either grant or deny the appeal. If it denies the appeal then that's when the Courts are involved and it could drag on for years.

 

[John Fedup]

Well there's the 100 day review by the Govt Accountability Office that has to occur first. The GAO can either grant or deny the appeal. If it denies the appeal then that's when the Courts are involved and it could drag on for years.

It is a shame China lacks a similar appeal process, such a brake would perhaps slow their rapid military development.

 

[ngatimozart]

It is a shame China lacks a similar appeal process, such a brake would perhaps slow their rapid military development.

Why would you wish that on any one

 

[ngatimozart]

If you play or follow World Of Tanks you will most like know who the Chieftain is. I follow his YouTube channel because of is knowledge and ability to explain things armour wise. Yesterday he posted a new video on the US Army GDLS XT-35 MPF, which is a 35 minute interview with the Lt Col who is the Army product manager for the MPF. It is very informative and well worth the watch. Audio quality isn't the best in places, so i suggest turning the subtitles on.

The XT-35 isn't a tank; it's a Light Infantry Fire Support Vehicle and at 42 short tons, they reckon that they can fit two into a C-17A. It's not LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System) capable. They looked at 120mm and 105mm guns and found that the 105mm worked best and the gun is capable of firing all NATO 105mm ammo. The Lt Col was cagey when the Chieftain asked about advanced 105mm ammo. The turret interior is similar to that of the M1A2 and the hull is completely different to that of the M1. It is powered by a 800HP MTU diesel with the engine at the right front and the vehicle has hydromantic suspension. The Lt Col avoided the question of whether or not the suspension enabled the vehicle height to be changed. The drive sprocket is at the front and the road wheels have what looks like rubber on the rims. The tracks have what appears to be rubber pads, as well. The 30mm RWS cannon is gone.

Vehicles will be on the TO&E of both the 82nd and 101st Airborne, as well as other light infantry units. How the vehicle will be utilised, its tactics, Light Infantry unit numbers etc., haven't yet been determined and that is being formulated as part of the introduction into service. The Army has approved a LRIP of unknown quantity.

 

[swerve]

Not a tank? Bah, humbug! It's a tank! I think that's political naming, to stop congresscritters saying "this tank's cheaper to buy & operate than the M1. Why does the US army want to upgrade & keep using M1s when there's a newer, cheaper tank?"

It's like the USAF using the same model number for different aircraft.

If that ain't a tank, then neither are the Leopard 1, the T-54/55/62/64/72, etc.

 

[Terran]

US Army GDLS XT-35 MPF

The Gun used is the old XM35 105mm but I don’t think the vehicle has an official numerical designation as of yet.