The Army, as part of its aviation restructuring and FY-2015 budget proposals, is preparing to cut three of the active service’s 13 combat aviation brigades (CABs) by 2019. Under the plan, the Army Reserve will have its 12 helicopter brigades restructured for medevac missions. The FY-15 funding request will increase the Army’s fleet of aircraft by $500 million to $5.1 billion. The proposal also includes $416 million for 55 new Lakota helicopters, but according to sources, the Army will request funds to buy 45 more UH-72A Lakota helicopters in 2016. Source: Defense News, 02/04/14.
[Central Mississippi/Golden Triangle note: Airbus Helicopters operates a 350K square foot helicopter production plant at the Columbus, Miss., Golden Triangle Industrial Park. The firm began making Lakota helicopters for the Army in 2005; and nearly 300 have been produced in Columbus.]
No comments:
Post a Comment