Helicopter-makers say they’re eagerly awaiting a decision expected this summer from the U.S. Army to move forward with development of a futuristic rotorcraft.
The program, known officially as the Joint Multi-Role helicopter, or JMR, has attracted defense giants such as Boeing Co., United Technologies Corp.‘s Sikorsky unit, Textron Inc.‘s Bell Helicopter, as well as the small, closely held firm AVX Aircraft Co.
Despite automatic budget cuts, the service is trying to protect research and development funding to design next-generation helicopters that fly twice as far as today’s models and with better fuel efficiency, according to Heidi Shyu, the Army’s top acquisition official.
The Army is conducting a “significant amount” of analysis of vertical lift technology in preparation of “upcoming material development decisions,” she said during a presentation on Monday at the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual conference, known as Quad A. “I would encourage all of you guys to go down and see the displays of all four competitors. I mean, it’s really an outstanding job that each and every one of them are doing right now.”
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