Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)

The U.S. Army’s analysis of alternatives for its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft is underway.

The goal is to achieve size, weight and power savings for Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft and other existing Army rotorcraft, the RFI says.

Poland in September 2022 announced plans to buy 96 new-build AH-64Es in an acquisition that could be worth up to $7 billion.

The U.S. Army wants its Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk fleet flying for the next 40 to 60 years.

The U.S. Army had previously planned to include surrogate engines for FARA prototypes in the event of T901 engine delays.

The GAO denial of Sikorsky’s FLRAA protest shows the Army prioritized Bell’s submission detail and open systems architecture over Sikorsky’s much lower cost.

The companies, services and people dependent on today’s promising new generation of aircraft would do well to heed the lessons of the past.

Delivery of the first GE Aerospace T901 engines to Bell and Sikorsky for integration into their FARA prototypes has been delayed until early 2024.