Army aviation shakeup continues with ITEP, FTUAS programs grinding to a halt
“We’re ceasing investment and procurement into those two programs as part of the army transformation initiative so we can free up those resources and reinvest them,” an Army spokesperson told Breaking Defense today.
The Army’s GE T901 First Engine to Test installed in the test cell prior to initial engine light off. (Photo courtesy of General Electric via DVIDS)
WASHINGTON — As additional details about US Army program cuts trickle out, a service spokesperson confirmed tentative plans to end work on a new helicopter engine and the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS).
“We’re ceasing investment and procurement into those two programs as part of the army transformation initiative so we can free up those resources and reinvest them,” an Army spokesperson told Breaking Defense today.
At least part of that money, according to the spokesperson, will be used to accelerate development of Bell’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). However, that aircraft is slated to use the General Electric Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) that is on the chopping block.
The Army has now asked Bell to craft a plan to accelerate FLRAA, and part of that readout will include ways to proceed without the new ITEP.
“We’re trying to get the resources to surge into FLRAA to move its fielding timeline up by years. … We need the aircraft that can fly twice the distance, twice the speed, twice the capabilities,” the spokesperson said.
“If [Bell] says we don’t have a better thing than ITEP, we need ITEP, we’ll address that,” the official added, noting that ITEP cancellation has not been finalized and there is room to maneuver.
Also dubbed the T901 engine, ITEP wasn’t just slated to power the future FLRAA aircraft but also some UH-60 Black Hawks, while providing 50 percent more horsepower and 25 percent better fuel efficiency. However, development hit several speedbumps over the years.
Defense Daily first reported on cuts to the General Electric’s Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), while details of the impending FTUAS cut emerged in a Senate hearing on Thursday.
The FTUAS was envisioned as a group 3 drone aligned with brigades and slated to replace the RQ-7 Shadow. The program had also encountered delays over the years but Griffon and Textron were currently vying for the contract.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Thursday, Sen. Jack Reed unveiled news that the Army was halting FTUAS plans, and the Army spokesperson confirmed the news.
