Defense

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Army has embarked on a study to consider a future heavy vertical lift aircraft, the director of Army Future Vertical Lift modernization told Defense News. The service is years into developing and procuring other Future Vertical Lift aircraft, but is just starting to consider what it might want for the aircraft that would succeed the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter.

The U.S. Air Force may soon get a new face for its presence in the Pacific. The Biden administration on Monday tapped Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider to lead Pacific Air Forces, the branch in charge of organizing, training and equipping American air units from Alaska to Guam. His nomination would bring a seasoned fighter pilot with years of experience at PACAF headquarters to the region as the U.S. looks…

WASHINGTON — Despite a delay in new engine technology, the U.S. Army is continuing to develop systems for its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft that go beyond the airframe, according to the two-star general in charge of the service’s vertical lift modernization. As part of the Improved Turbine Engine Program, a General Electric Aerospace-developed engine will replace those in the UH-60…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army will not be able to put $5.3 billion toward modernization efforts key to competing with China if Congress doesn’t pass a budget this year, the service secretary said in a Wednesday House Armed Services Committee hearing. The Pentagon has become accustomed to short-term continuing resolutions early in the fiscal year and generally schedules less programmatic activity…