{"id":33961,"date":"2019-04-15T11:30:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T11:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/04\/15\/army-aviation-tailoring-current-fleet-for-the-force-of-2028\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:39:14","slug":"army-aviation-tailoring-current-fleet-for-the-force-of-2028","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/aaaa\/2019\/04\/15\/army-aviation-tailoring-current-fleet-for-the-force-of-2028\/","title":{"rendered":"Modernization isn\u2019t everything: US Army has alternative plans for certain aviation platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2014 The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/ausa\/2018\/10\/09\/army-aviation-taking-major-steps-in-2019-to-improve-fleet\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Army\u2019s aviation program office <\/a>has decided not to modernize certain platforms, but rather divest or sustain them as part of an effort to realign resources toward the service\u2019s vision for its future force, the Army\u2019s program executive officer for aviation told Defense News in an interview ahead of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/aaaa\/\" target=\"_blank\">Army Aviation Association of America\u2019s annual summit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have been handed, in the way of a new mission really, which is the [Army] secretary and the chief have clearly said what their priorities are for 2028, and we are steered heavily in that way,\u201d Brig. Gen. Thomas Todd said April 10. \u201cEverything that we are doing is setting up the PEO to aggressively pursue and deliver the Army of 2028 as it related to the aviation portfolio.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/aaaa\/2018\/04\/27\/army-aviation-branch-wants-to-grow-force-structure\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CH-47101st.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US Army aviation branch wants to grow force structure<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Army wants to add a CH-47 Chinook helicopter battalion to the 101st Airborne Division and fill out its 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Europe.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Army &#8220;is actively undergoing an analysis of alternatives &#8230; of programs that need to strictly get out of the business of modernization and transition to sustainment or be divested,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Army has taken major strides in refocusing on major modernization priorities over roughly the past year and a half, standing up a new four-star command \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/land\/2018\/08\/28\/can-austin-make-the-army-weird\/\" target=_blank>Army Futures Command<\/a> \u2014 and conducting deep dives into current programs as well as science and technology development efforts to ensure everything aligns with its top priorities to end up with what the service considers a modernized force by 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means there\u2019s a need for a lot of cash for those future programs, but the service is also working to strike a balance when it comes to its current fleet, which must continue to globally operate at a high level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Striking a balance<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the service reviewed programs, the Army aviation portfolio now has seven that are being divested and four teed up for transition to sustainment, according to Todd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the programs in the current fleet that will no longer be modernized, but will move to sustainment status, are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/digital-show-dailies\/aaaa\/2018\/04\/25\/these-two-drones-are-leaders-in-accident-rates-how-is-the-us-army-responding\/\" target=_blank>Shadow unmanned aircraft system<\/a> and the Black Hawk post production, Todd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/global-force-symposium\/2019\/03\/28\/the-army-picks-2-drones-to-try-out-to-replace-shadow\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/V-BAT.jpg_0491f5.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">US Army picks 2 drones to test as Shadow replacement<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">After a fly-off, the Army has selected two drones to proceed into a soldier evaluation phase as the service decides how it might replace its Shadow tactical UAS.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The service will also sustain upgraded versions of its Gray Eagle UAS and Block I CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters, which are nearing the completion of production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the Army will place the T700 engine into a sustainment program as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2019\/02\/02\/general-electric-wins-517-million-contract-to-build-engines-for-armys-next-generation-helicopters\/\" target=_blank>new engine under the Improved Turbine Engine Program<\/a> will replace those, Todd added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The one-star noted that \u201cthere will be more to come\u201d in terms of shifting capabilities toward a sustainment approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In terms of divestment activity, the program for the UH-60 Alpha-model Black Hawk utility helicopter is going through an exchange and sales process, Todd said. \u201cWe are roughly halfway through those 800 aircraft,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Army is also continuing work on the demilitarization process of its retired OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopters, and has sold 70 of the aircraft through foreign military sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The service is also harvesting usable components and demilitarizing CH-47 Delta-model aircraft to support the Block I F-model line. It is doing the same for the AH-64 Alpha-model Apache attack helicopter fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo really meet the demand signal and the priorities given to us by the Army, we still have to make sure that at all times any system, whether it\u2019s in sustainment or not, is survivable and interoperable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With that, Todd said, there\u2019s still room to upgrade or modernize capabilities that are undergoing sustainment. For example, although modernization of the Shadow UAS will end, the Army could still decide to upgrade its engine if it meant ensuring survivability and relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are still interested in the engine upgrade, but that won\u2019t be in a traditional assent,\u201d Todd said. \u201cIt will be as opportunities arise for us to do that,\u201d whether it\u2019s a new engine or an improved sensor package, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Enduring capacity<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program office is also looking at how the current platforms will be mixed with future capabilities when the Army reaches 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Todd said that a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/land\/2018\/10\/03\/us-army-triggers-design-competition-for-future-attack-reconnaissance-helicopter\/\" target=_blank>future attack reconnaissance aircraft, or FARA,<\/a> will replace Apaches currently serving in reconnaissance squadrons. When the Army divested its Kiowas, it decided to use Apaches paired with Shadows to fill the armed scout gap. But Apaches in that role is not ideal and the service has continued to push to fill the gap with an appropriate aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Army has to decide what the appropriate top line requirement for Apaches will be once FARA fills the armed scout gap. \u201cWe are going to retain a certain number of Apaches in the attack battalions in the Army in an enduring capacity,\u201d Todd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So while the Apache\u2019s production run is expected to come to an end sometime in the 2020s, the Army is fielding the sixth version of its Echo-model that includes improved radar capability. A follow-on test and evaluation is ongoing at Fort Hood, Texas, according to Todd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Army is also undergoing data analysis to determine the right number of Black Hawks for the future force. The service now has 2,135 of the aircraft and expects to bring a f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/land\/2019\/04\/04\/us-army-plans-to-field-a-future-long-range-assault-helicopter-by-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\">uture long-range assault aircraft, or FLRAA,<\/a> into the force around 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is a lot of analysis that is going on as to whether or not that is the right number and whether or not we would replace them all even with the [FLRAA] program,\u201d Todd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Chinook will continue to be the enduring capability for heavy lift. Yet, the service <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/smr\/federal-budget\/2019\/03\/14\/army-plans-to-stop-building-newest-ch-47-variant-in-fy20-except-for-special-ops\/\" target=\"_blank\">made the decision not to field its Block II version of the aircraft to the conventional force<\/a>, but only to the special operations force to free up some funding for the FLRAA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are moving out irrespective of whether or not [the Army] just wants to buy G-model [special operations Chinooks] or if the Army changes their mind and decides to buy F-model Block IIs down the road,\u201d Todd said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The service is still \u201csuccessfully on track\u201d with its engineering and manufacturing development effort for the Block II Chinook, according to Todd. \u201cWe got to first flight tests out in Mesa, Arizona, this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the Army works to establish a modernized force by 2028, it&#8217;s ironing out what has to be done with its current fleet to fulfill future missions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":73015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":72,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[72,160,29,162,14,36],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3330],"class_list":["post-33961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aaaa","category-daily-news-roundup","category-digital-show-dailies","category-digital-show-daily","category-land","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"IHTLK72MO5HHVIGU7KPRNSOCIM","arc_canonical_url":"\/digital-show-dailies\/aaaa\/2019\/04\/15\/army-aviation-tailoring-current-fleet-for-the-force-of-2028\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Modernization isn\u2019t everything: US Army has alternative plans for certain aviation platforms - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As the Army works to establish a modernized force by 2028, it&#039;s ironing out what has to be done with its current fleet to fulfill future missions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Modernization isn\u2019t everything: US Army has alternative plans for certain aviation platforms\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As the Army works to establish a modernized force by 2028, it&#039;s ironing out what has to 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