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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

IMPROVED CARGO HELICOPTER (ICH)

	Army ACAT I Program 300 systems Total program cost (TY$) $3.2B Average unit cost (TY$) $10.3M Full-rate production 4QFY02 Prime Contractor Boeing

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The ICH is a remanufactured version of the CH-47D Chinook cargo helicopter with the new T55-GA-714A engines. The CH-47D is a twin-turbine tandem rotor helicopter that was designed for combat and combat support heavy-lift cargo missions. The ICH program is intended to restore CH-47D airframes to their original condition and extend the aircraft's life expectancy another 20 years. In addition, the following improvements will be incorporated into the aircraft:

• Fuselage stiffening and possible active systems for vibration reduction (this is expected to lead to improved reliability and therefore reduced operating and support costs)

• Integrated cockpit

• Digital architecture for Force XXI compatibility

Additional improvements may be incorporated into the aircraft if funding permits.

The Improved Cargo Helicopter (ICH) will transport weapons, ammunition, equipment, troops, and other cargo in general support of combat units and operations other than war. The ICH is a dominant maneuver platform that provides focused logistics to the force.

The Army plans to initiate the ICH program with a Milestone II Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) decision in 1QFY98. The Army intends to recommend at that time that the program be designated a component-level program based on the low risk involved.

DOT&E has been working with the Army to develop a Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) for the ICH program. The TEMP was approved Dec 1997.

If executed as planned and resourced, the TEMP (approved December 1998) is adequate to provide sufficient data to assess the program. This assessment will focus on suitability issues while sustaining baseline CH-47D operational capabilities. Of keen interest is the evolution of the Army's digitization effort. In addition, an extensive LFT&E program is planned to examine survivability issues for the aircraft.