The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft is the Army’s number one aviation modernization priority and is integral to effectively penetrate and dis-integrate adversaries’ Integrated Air Defense Systems.

It will enable combatant commanders with greater tactical, operational and strategic capabilities through significantly increased speed, range, endurance, survivability and lethality”, said Dr. BRUCE D. JETTE, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.

The US Army is looking for a new armed scout helicopter, and Boeing, the last competitor to show its hand, has finally unveiled its vision for the future aircraft.

The Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program is one of Army Futures Command’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) priorities.

Boeing FARA, as the company is calling its design, is a fully integrated, purpose-built design that Boeing expects to fill a gap in Army aviation, the company said in a release Tuesday. The aircraft features a three-rotor system, as well as a “modular, state-of-the-art cockpit with a reconfigurable large area display and autonomous capabilities.”

Boeing was the last of the five competing defense teams to show their hand in the FARA competition.

Other FARA designs include the 360 Invictus from Bell, which is working closely with Collins Aerospace.

Bell 360 Invictus. Bell

AVX-L3 compound coaxial helicopter. AVX-L3

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky is pitching its Raider X.

Sikorsky Raider X. Sikorsky/Press Photo

And, Karem Aircraft, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon have their AR40.

Karem AR40. Karem Aircraft

Each of the five designs has its own unique features, such as the FARA CCH’s ability to be reconfigured for different mission sets, but all of the aircraft are designed to provide the Army with an aircraft that is agile, lethal, and survivable.

The Army expects this helicopter to be a high-speed aircraft able to travel at speeds in excess of 180 knots.

Last year, Brig. Gen. Walter Rugen, the Army FVL cross-functional team leader, said that “FARA is going to be the greatest armed reconnaissance helicopter in the world.”

The FARA program aims to replace the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, which was retired in 2014. The five competing companies were selected April to develop prototypes. Soon, the Army will select two companies to move forward to the next phase of development.

Competition for the FARA program is expected to wrap up after a fly-off in 2023, and the final FARA selection is expected to be fielded by 2028.

The Next Generation HELICOPTERS are Coming

Sourse: US Military News