The United States Army announced that it would trim its aircraft fleet by roughly 1000 helicopters, in a released statement on Friday, September 7.
The plan would remove approximately 400 hundred Vietnam-era aircraft from active service and 600 from the reserve forces.
“This will include accelerating the retirement of the Vietnam-era UH-1 ‘Huey’ helicopters and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. The acceleration will divest Army aviation of these ‘legacy’ aircraft by 2004,” the release stated. “Aging aircraft are difficult and expensive to maintain and are far less effective than their modern successors, the UH-60 Blackhawk and the AH-64 Apache.”
The Blackhawk is the Army’s utility helicopter, useful for troop and cargo transport, as well as support missions. The AH-64 Apache is the Army’s primary gunship helicopter, serving in combat and support roles since the late eighties. The twin propeller Vietnam-era Chinook will remain in service, as a medium/heavy lift aircraft.
“Aviation modernization is a good news story for the Army Reserve,” said Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Plewes. “It brings us the medium-lift capabilities of UH-60 Blackhawk companies, enabling us to more effectively support Army missions, and modernizes much of our current aircraft, including our Chinooks and Apaches.”
The shift is the result of a two-year review by the Army to modernize its forces.
“This is a major step forward for Army aviation,” said Director of the Army National Guard Lt. Gen. Roger Schultz. “Aviation formations are justified on war fighting requirements; however, in the Guard, our cargo and utility aircraft are used daily in response to local and state emergencies. The good news with this plan is that the Guard receives modern aircraft earlier than originally planned. For the Guard, turning in the legacy aircraft as we migrate to modernized aircraft is welcome news indeed. Our obligation today is to prepare for the future of Army aviation. This aviation modernization plan does just that.”
The move also frees up funds and space for the Army’s new helicopter gunship, the Comanche.
“It allows the Army to compress the procurement timeline of the Comanche aircraft and moves newer helicopters sooner into the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve,” the release stated. “For the long-term, Comanche remains The Army’s highest aviation priority and is the centerpiece of Army aviation transformation. Comanche will provide the tactical commander more timely and accurate information about the tactical situation. It provides the ability to orchestrate devastating firepower and synchronize mobile security, even in the most challenging operational environments.”
