MOSA: A Winning Strategy for FLRAA and Army Current Fleet Modernization
An open digital architecture leads to increased interoperability, affordability, upgrades and enhanced capabilities like launched effects and autonomy.
The UK originally announced a £1.4 billion agreement ($1.8 billion) had been reached for the 14 H-47 ER aircraft in May 2021 with deliveries set to begin in 2026 and run until 2030, but budgetary pressures linked to COVID-19 caused London to order a three year delay.
The Boeing helicopters would come with a laundry list of additional systems, from electronic counter-measures and missile warning systems to skis and life rafts.
The increased threat posed to European security by Russia has led to UK lawmakers intensifying scrutiny around British Army capabilities, which have been long been in the spotlight because of cancelled acquisitions, technical difficulties, contractor disputes, gross overspending and operational readiness issues.
The announcement of the potential sale come as the Israeli government is sending signals to Washington that any renewed deal with Iran should come with more arms for Israel, including items not normally sold to allies.
The Army's rebuilding to face China and Russia. That may leave programs designed over the past decade for COIN operations in the dust.
Good news: That's more money than the Army thought it could get for its top priorities. Bad news: We won't see most of it this year.
Boeing, Lockheed, Dassault Aviation of France, the European Eurofighter consortium, Sweden’s Saab, and United Aircraft Corporation of Russia are all jockeying for position for an Indian fighter contract worth $15 billion for 110 planes, and an $8 billion navy program of around 60 aircraft.