Originally Posted by
SplineDrive
Or add a 30mm cannon and lots of missile/ALE racks to a V-280 derivative. Is a slow Apache with two more weapons stations and more fuel really worth the investment?
If the Army budget holds, FARA lives, Apache dies
After the current multi-year contract, there will be an eventual Apache replacement, way down the road. If the budget tightens, FARA dies, but no more Apaches will be purchased beyond what is currently planned. Same for the Black Hawk, it mostly dies after the current multi-year. The Bell FARA will work just fine. The Sikorsky FARA is uncertain, unproven.
The Army needs to spend its money on FLRAA and FARA, not on more Apaches or Chinooks.