Army Fears If ‘Future Vertical Lift’ Falters, Serious Fallout For Industry Might Follow (From Forbes)

The U.S. Army is leading what may prove to be the biggest rotorcraft program in history. Called Future Vertical Lift (FVL), it will replace over a dozen different helicopters in the joint fleet with thousands of new aircraft that have greater speed, range, reliability, survivability and lethality. All of these enhancements are needed to fight successfully in the future operational environment.  But there is another facet to FVL: revitalizing the domestic rotorcraft industry. Since the Cold War ended, few genuinely new rotorcraft have been developed. Just as the Army needs new combat systems to win future wars, the industry needs new technological challenges to keep its skills competitive. Future Vertical Lift plays a central role in both processes. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.