Surface Navy 2019: US Navy moving out on new FVL light- to medium-helicopter fleet

Although the US Navy (USN) is moving out on requirements to develop a new, light- to medium-helicopter fleet, currently the army says it is tracking progress but will not be investing in the effort.

Speaking with Jane’s on 4 January, Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Cross Functional Team director Brigadier General Walter Rugen laid out the army’s progress and plans to develop the Pentagon’s next-generation helicopters and unmanned aircraft systems outfitted with next-generation avionics, engine, sensors, and countermeasures. The one-star general confirmed that the service is tracking navy efforts to field a light to medium helicopter.

“It was exciting to hear of the navy’s effort,” Brig Gen Rugen said. “I’ve read their requirements document, and as part of our integration with [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] we are able to watch their progress. We’re excited to see where they go with that. But it's really just us observing and watching them.”

The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to the ‘Proud Warriors’ of HSM 72, prepares to land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman in November 2018. The USN is going ahead with plans to build a new, FVL light- to medium-helicopter fleet. (USN)

Under FVL, there are five capability sets, which include a smaller, more agile capability set 1 (CS1) scout aircraft to replace the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior fleet; a CS2 light to medium helicopter; a CS3 medium-sized aircraft to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet; a CS4 cargo aircraft to eventually replace the CH-47 Chinook; and a CS5 ultra-sized vertical lift aircraft that is envisioned to take shape down the road.