ARH contract signing marks step forward in aviation
By Staff Sgt. Carmen L. Burgess
August 30, 2005
FORT WORTH, Texas (Army News Service, Aug. 30, 2005) – Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody marked the beginning of a new era in Army aviation Aug. 29 when he signed a ceremonial contract with Bell Helicopter for the Army’s $2.2 billion Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.
At a ceremony held outside Fort Worth, Texas, the ARH became the first new manned airframe slated for fielding under the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan since 1983.
“This is a significant moment in Army aviation history, a much-needed advance in the capabilities of our aviation fleet, and a key component of the Army’s overall transformation,” said Cody.
The ARHs will be the first of three new platforms procured including the Light Utility Helicopter and the Future Cargo Aircraft, to revitalize and modernize the existing fleet of aircraft in the Army’s arsenal.
“These are exciting times for Soldiers across the Army,” said Cody. “They are seeing rapid technologies developing throughout our war-fighting equipment. From unmanned aerial vehicles to advanced weapons to state-of-the-art communications and night vision systems. And now our aviation Soldiers will get 900 new helicopters fielded for the multi-functional aviation brigades, a key component of the Army’s modular force.”
“We are focused on getting this system into the hands of our Soldiers as soon as possible, so they can meet the war-fighting challenges,” said Bell Chief Executive Officer Mike Redenbaugh during the ceremony.
Aviation equipment accelerated
The joint endeavor with Bell Helicopter was part of an accelerated acquisition process that took less than 13 months. ARH requirements were identified, approved and put into contract in half the normal acquisition time.
“We have accelerated the development and fielding of Aviation Survivability Equipment across the fleet, directly supporting our Soldiers in the on-going fights in Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Cody. “The relevance of a scout-attack aviation platform in today’s fight is undeniable.”
The Army has reprogrammed more than $14 billion from the 2004 cancellation of the Comanche program to further aviation modernization. The ARH acquisition is being funded with those resources to replace the aging Kiowa Warrior, which was originally designed to be an interim scout-attack aircraft solution, officials said.
“We are happy that (Program Executive Office) - Aviation, teamed with Bell Helicopter, is working so hard to bring the ARH online to give Soldiers and aviators a more modern and robust aircraft as part of the Army’s combined arms team,” said Cody.
“This fulfills our Army leader’s commitment to continue to give our Soldiers the best leadership, equipment and training this country can provide,” he said.
Vice test flies ARH
Following the ceremony, the general took the ARH out for a test flight.
“It was a great flight,” he said. “This is a very maneuverable and high performance airframe.”
Cody, a senior aviator with more than 5,000 flight hours, said he was impressed with many aspects of the new aircraft including the handling of cross winds, the tail rotor authority and the outer ground effects.
“This is a great aircraft. I believe our aviators will be pleased with its capabilities and performance,” he said. “No doubt, as a superior hunter-killer, our enemies will be equally displeased.”
