The selection process has taken several years and involved lots of testing of prototypes, and the Army has finally decided to go with the Bell V280 Valor. It's another Osprey style convert-a-plane that flies like an airplane but hovers, lands and takes off like a helicopter. It has more payload capacity, is faster and has longer range than the Blackhawk, but there's fear that it might be less reliable and rugged because of its increased complexity.
Apparently a consideration in seeking a Blackhawk replacement was the prospect of a war with China in the Pacific where these helicopters will have to have sufficient speed and range to fly from island to island.
The initial contract is for $1.3 billion, largely to support additional development and testing. But ultimately, if the US buys as many as it wants to buy and if US allies follow suit in replacing their own Blackhawks with this aircraft, the decision could be worth as much as $70 billion.
Apparently a consideration in seeking a Blackhawk replacement was the prospect of a war with China in the Pacific where these helicopters will have to have sufficient speed and range to fly from island to island.
The initial contract is for $1.3 billion, largely to support additional development and testing. But ultimately, if the US buys as many as it wants to buy and if US allies follow suit in replacing their own Blackhawks with this aircraft, the decision could be worth as much as $70 billion.