US ARMY expected to announce award of Phase 1 developer of Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR TD) in September
August 2, 2013, 6:00 PM
Contract negotiations between the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate and AVX Helicopter, Bell Helicopter and the Sikorsky/Boeing team–the potential Phase I vendors for the joint multi-role technology demonstrator (JMR-TD)–are nearing completion. Announcement of the awards for a new U.S. Army medium helicopter are planned for September, according to an Army spokesman. However, “like many other efforts, this schedule is challenged by furlough effects,” he said.
JMR is the precursor of the future vertical lift program, which has the goal of developing a series of helicopters with “leap-ahead technology” in four sizes: light scout to replace the Bell OH-58 Kiowa; medium utility and attack to replace the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and Boeing AH-64 Apache; heavy cargo to replace the Boeing CH-47 Chinook; and ultra (large) with performance similar to that of the C-130J Super Hercules. The initial focus is on the medium configuration, which represents the Army’s greatest need–some 4,000 aircraft.
U.S. Army Set To Announce Demo Contracts For Radical New Rotorcraft | Aviation International News