ARMY STATEMENT, VCOP TO BE APPLIED TO ENTIRE HELO FLEET
I extracted the following from: MARCH 3, 1999, WEDNESDAY
PREPARED STATEMENT BY MAJOR GENERAL PETER C. FRANKLIN, DEPUTY FOR SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT AND HORIZONTAL TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR ACQUISITION, LOGISTICS AND TECHNOLOGY BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEES ON MILITARY PROCUREMENT AND MILITARY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT - ARMY AVIATION MODERNIZATION
The Virtual Cockpit Optimization Program (VCOP) demonstrates the integration of independently developed and advanced technologies across multiple platforms into a single system to deliver information to the pilot in a concise and intuitive manner. Technologies include: Three Dimensional Audio; Full-color, High-resolution Helmet Mounted Display; Imagery speech recognition and synthesis; Integrated Caution, Warning, Advisory information; Threat warnings; Intelligent information management; and Crew aided cognitive decision aides that will be incorporated into a product available across all Army Aviation platforms.
For those who want to read more, the entire statement follows:
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the U.S. Army's aviation modernization program. It is my privilege to represent the Army leadership, the civilian and military members of the Army acquisition workforce, and, most importantly, America's soldiers.
Modem equipment and technological superiority is required to lead our soldiers into the 21st Century. The Army's aviation modernization strategy is an aggressive, comprehensive program designed to maximize the combat effectiveness of aviation assets across the full spectrum of the Army XXI and Army After Next (AAN) battlefields. Aviation provides combat, combat support, combat service support, and special operations across the spectrum of fulldimensional operations. These forces provide increased speed, range of fire and maneuver, and mobility of troops and equipment in support of operations from war to stability and support.
Air Cavalry/Reconnaissance units provide the tactical commander critical combat information, early warning, and force protection. Attack helicopter units provide a lethal force capable of delivering precision fires in the close battle or deep into enemy territory. Utility and cargo helicopter units provide tactical air movement of combat forces and their assets and allow commanders and their staffs to command, rapidly traverse, and see the battlefield. Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) aircraft perform front line medical evacuations. Special Operations Aviation (SOA) conducts a broad spectrum of combat and combat support missions. Fixed wing aircraft conduct operational airlift, intelligence and electronic warfare, and intratheater personnel and cargo transportation. Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) provide communications/signal intelligence and electronics countermeasures. Collectively, aviation is ideally suited to provide the joint force the lethality, speed, mobility, and versatility required to meet current and future demands.
The strategy is dependent on achieving and maintaining information dominance, providing unparalleled tactical reconnaissance/security, and improving lethality to shape the battlespace and conduct decisive operations. Revitalized cargo and utility fleets are needed to project and sustain the force. All of these capabilities will be linked together by a digital architecture that will enable the commander to apply an appropriately sized, decisive combat force at the precise time and location that is needed to defeat the enemy.
Fiscal constraints have created a challenge for future modernization. Stretched developments and delayed procurements coupled with a focus on recapitalization of existing assets have resulted in a fleet of over 4500 aircraft in FY99, of which over 2000 aircraft average 27 years in age. With the exception of very limited UH-60 procurement, there are no new aircraft procurements to displace these aircraft until Comanche fielding begins in 2006. The age of the fleet is forcing the Army to address performance, digital compatibility, rising support costs, and training and personnel strategies. Problems associated with this aging fleet are compounded by battlefield digitization requirements and the interoperability challenges of an aviation force which frequently crosses division boundaries, conducts deep operations and requires joint airspace coordination.
Continued pressures on the defense budget have forced the Army to trade-off aviation modernization requirements (given no increases in the research, development and acquisition budgets) and consider aircraft resourcing strategies which field aircraft below authorized unit levels. The funding challenges that lie ahead are considerable. As outyear funding comes into clearer focus, the situation is likely to worsen--increasing the disparity between first-to-fight and lower priority units. This Committee has always supported a strong National Defense posture in the past and your Army is very grateful. We indeed need your continued support, assistance, and commitment to meet the challenges of the future.
OBJECTIVES
Aviation's modernization strategy centers around four aviation platforms: the Comanche, the Apache, the CH-47F (formerly the Improved Cargo Helicopter) and the UH-60 Black Hawk, and is driven by five objectives. These are (1) solve Army Aviation's most critical battlefield deficiency--tactical reconnaissance and security, (2) maintain attack overmatch and world class attack helicopter capability into the 21st Century, (3) enhance Command,Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) and joint/combined interoperability through battlefield digitization, (4) recapitalize the aging utility, cargo, and fixed wing fleet until replacement is possible, and (5) develop technology underpinnings for Joint Vision 2010/AAN requirements. An overarching goal within this strategy is to reduce the number of different aircraft types, thereby reducing support costs, manpower, logistical requirements, and training burden.
INFORMATION DOMINANCE
The RAH-66 Comanche remains Army Aviation's highest priority providing leap ahead capabilities to enhance the Army's information dominance and combat overmatch. The Comanche with its revolutionary mission equipment package and advanced survivability and maintainability features will also solve Aviation's number one deficiency--armed reconnaissance.
The Comanche, which executed its first flight in 1996, introduces major technological advances in the acquisition and processing of battlefield information, rotary wing signature reduction, and logistical support features. As one of the key systems of the joint digital battlefield, Comanche will provide accurate and timely response to the tactical commander's firepower or combat information needs and security for the fast paced, transitional forces of the future. The force protection provided by Comanche would be critical to meet emerging AAN requirements, which emphasize total force speed and range of maneuver. Comanche will also provide critical combat power during early/forced entry, and complement the Longbow Apache in a scout role by closing undetected to acquire targets.
The RAH-66 is one of the Army's two new developments, which will lead Aviation AAN. The current RAH-66 acquisition strategy, the Pre-Production Program (PPP), is to build six pro-production prototypes and eight IOTE aircraft during Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD). The reconnaissance and armament mission equipment packages (MEP) as well as the fire control radar (FCR) will be integrated and tested concurrently. Recent advancements in antenna technology have provided an opportunity to integrate a smaller; more effective millimeter wave radar five years earlier than planned (FY04).
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