The U.S. Army will use funds freed up from the cancellation of its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program to upgrade its fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters. Technology developed through the terminated program will be applied to a wider variety of platforms. Plans include setting up additional research and development resources for the UH-60M Black Hawks to continue improving the platform.
The abrupt end of the FARA program also led to the scrapping of other aircraft systems and programs, such as the Shadow and Raven unmanned aircraft systems, the UH-60V upgrade for National Guard Black Hawks, and more. The Army plans to invest in new multiyear procurement buys for UH-60M Black Hawks, CH-47F Block II Chinook cargo helicopters, and new unmanned capabilities.
The focus for future Black Hawk upgrades will be on incorporating modular open systems architecture. This development will extend to other aviation platforms and future projects like the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle. The Army has also made progress on technology related to sensor miniaturization, heads-up displays, and additive manufacturing to enhance maintenance periods.
The Army plans to close out the FARA program by testing Improved Turbine Engine Program engines in the FARA prototypes that had been built. Despite delays and hurdles in the engine program’s development, the Army remains committed to integrating them into UH-60M and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in the future. Plans to revisit procurement decisions for the engines are set for FY26.
