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The Army's helicopters play an important role in the conduct of ground combat operations on the modern battlefield. Although the Army has invested heavily in its helicopter fleet during the past 15 years, it still retains many Vietnam-era helicopters in its inventory. The Army's plans for modernizing its helicopters focus on its attack and scout aircraft, with no major programs for replacing or overhauling its aging utility helicopters. Furthermore, because the Army's new reconnaissance and attack helicopter, the Comanche, will not begin to enter the fleet for at least 10 years, the Army will have to retain many older combat helicopters for at least another 20 years.
This analysis, conducted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) at the request of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, examines several alternatives for modernizing the Army's helicopters and compares the costs and benefits of each alternative with the Army's plan for its helicopter fleet. In keeping with CBO's mandate to provide objective analysis, the study makes no recommendations.
Frances M. Lussier of CBO's National Security Division prepared the study with the assistance of Shaun Black under the general supervision of Cindy Williams and R. William Thomas. Joanne Vines and Raymond Hall of CBO's Budget Analysis Division provided the cost analysis. The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Robert M. Hunt, Matthew Eyles, and David Mosher of CBO and Dean Simmons of the Institute for Defense Analyses. (The assistance of external participants implies no responsibility for the final product, which rests solely with CBO.)
Sherry Snyder edited the manuscript, and Christian Spoor provided editorial assistance. Judith Cromwell and Cindy Cleveland produced drafts of the study. Kathryn Quattrone prepared it for publication.
ONE INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Problems with the Army's Helicopter Fleet
Problems Related to Modernizing the Army's Helicopters
TWO THE ARMY'S HELICOPTER FLEET TODAY
Missions and Requirements for Army Helicopters
The Army's Numerical Requirements for Helicopters
The Army's Current Helicopter Fleet
THREE THE ARMY'S PLAN FOR ITS HELICOPTER FLEET
Aviation Modernization Programs
The Aviation Restructure Initiative
Assessment of the Army's Plan
FOUR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS FOR MODERNIZING
Alternative I: Retain a Smaller Comanche Program, Buy
Improved Kiowa Warriors, and Extend the Life of
the Hueys
Alternative II: Continue to Buy Helicopters Currently
in Production
Alternative III: Buy Improved Kiowa Warriors and New
Utility Helicopters
Alternative IV: Retain and Modernize Helicopters in
the Army's Inventory
Comparison of the Alternatives
APPENDIX Aviation
Force Structure
TABLES
S-1. Programs for Modernizing
Army Aviation
S-2. Total Acquisition Costs
Under the Army's Plan and Four Alternatives
S-3. Effect of the Army's Plan
and Four Alternatives on the Army's Helicopter Fleet
1. The
Army's Requirements for Helicopters to Equip and Support
Its Units Based on the Army of Excellence Design
2. Comparison
of the Army's Helicopter Requirements and Its Inventory
3. Effect
of the Army's Aviation Restructure Initiative on the
Composition of Some Combat Units
4. Changes
in Overall Helicopter Requirements Resulting from
the Aviation Restructure Initiative Design
5. Comparison
of Combat Helicopter Requirements and Inventories
Under Two Force Designs
6. Comparison
of Transport Helicopter Requirements and Inventories
Under Two Force Designs
7. Total
Acquisition Costs Under the Army's Plan
8. Programs
for Modernizing Army Aviation
9. Total
Acquisition Costs Under Alternative I
10. Helicopter Inventories
Under Alternative I
11. Total Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative II
12. Helicopter Inventories
Under Alternative II
13. Total Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative III
14. Helicopter Inventories
Under Alternative III
15. Total Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative IV
16. Helicopter Inventories
Under Alternative IV
17. Total Acquisition
Costs Under the Army's Plan and Four Alternatives
18. Effect of the
Army's Plan and Four Alternatives on the Combat Fleet
19. Effect of the
Army's Plan and Four Alternatives on the Utility Fleet
A-1. Composition of the Army's Major
Fighting Units at the End of Fiscal Year 1996
A-2. Type and Number of Aviation Units
Assigned to the Army's Major Fighting Units Under
the Army of Excellence
Design
A-3. Type and Number of Helicopters
in Combat Aviation Units Under the Army of Excellence
Design
A-4. Type and Number of Helicopters
in Transport and Support Aviation Units Under the
Army of Excellence Design
A-5. Type and Number of Helicopters
Required Under the Army of Excellence Design
A-6. Type and Number of Aviation Units
Assigned to the Army's Major Fighting Units Under
the Aviation Restructure
Initiative Design
A-7. Number of Aviation Units in the
Army Under the Army of Excellence and Aviation Restructure
Initiative Designs
A-8. Type and Number of Helicopters
in Combat Aviation Units Under the AOE and ARI Designs
A-9. Type and Number of Helicopters
in Transport and Support Aviation Units Under the
AOE and ARI Designs
A-10. Type and Number of Helicopters Required Under
the Aviation Restructure Initiative Design
FIGURES
S-1. Distribution of the Army's
Helicopter Fleet by Age
S-2. Capability of the Combat
Fleet Under the Army's Plan and Four Alternatives
S-3. Lift Capacity of the Utility
Fleet Under the Army's Plan and Four Alternatives
1. Scout
Helicopters
2. Attack
Helicopters
3. Utility
Helicopters
4. CH-47D
Chinook Cargo Helicopter
5. Composition,
Average Age, and Capability of the Combat Fleet Under
the Army's Plan
6. Composition
and Average Age of the Utility Fleet Under the Army's
Plan
7. Annual
Acquisition Costs Under the Army's Plan
8. Annual
Acquisition Costs Under Alternative I
9. Composition,
Average Age, and Capability of the Combat Fleet Under
Alternative I
10. Composition,
Average Age, and Lift Capacity of the Utility Fleet
Under Alternative I
11. Annual Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative II
12. Composition,
Average Age, and Capability of the Combat Fleet Under
Alternative II
13. Composition,
Average Age, and Lift Capacity of the Utility Fleet
Under Alternative II
14. Annual Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative III
15. Composition,
Average Age, and Capability of the Combat Fleet Under
Alternative III
16. Composition,
Average Age, and Lift Capacity of the Utility Fleet
Under Alternative III
17. Annual Acquisition
Costs Under Alternative IV
18. Composition,
Average Age, and Capability of the Combat Fleet Under
Alternative IV
19. Composition,
Average Age, and Lift Capacity of the Utility Fleet
Under Alternative IV
20. Capability of
the Combat Fleet Under the Army's Plan and Four Alternatives
21. Lift Capacity
of the Utility Fleet Under the Army's Plan and Four
Alternatives
BOX
1. Designations
for Army Helicopters