Key US senator calls for continued Future Vertical Lift funding

A key US senator and retired US Army Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter pilot wants the service to further invest in Future Vertical Lift (FVL) as she believes these capabilities and technologies align with the Pentagon’s view of future warfare.

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said on 20 February that it is very clear that great power competition is moving toward the Asia Pacific region. This battlespace, she said, will require going from island to island from distances that are far greater than what any model Black Hawk can currently perform.

A closeup of the Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant's coaxial rotors at the Sikorsky flight facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 19 February. (Janes/Pat Host)

Sen Duckworth said the Asia Pacific will also host much smaller airbases and bases in general as the US tries to ensure its presence in the region.

“This is very much the type of aircraft we need,” she said at Sikorsky’s flight facility here. “This is why I think we very much need to look at further investment in Future Vertical Lift….I am going to make sure that I am the champion for Future Vertical Lift as long as I am in the Senate.”

Sen Duckworth, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, service Programme Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation Patrick Mason, and US Army FVL Cross Functional Team Director Brigadier General Walter Rugen observed a trio of flight demos here on 20 February. The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant, the Sikorsky S-97 Raider, and the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA) all flew and performed various tasks.