Army Aviation Sees Fewer Resources
Bettina H. Chavanne/Nashville, chavanne@aviationweek.com
The message to U.S. Army aviation is the same one echoing throughout the services, according to senior aviation leaders: do more with less.
A parade of generals addressed a group here this morning at the Army Aviation Association of America (Quad-A) symposium, and though the message was positive overall, there was also a sense of burrowing in before lean times.
"We're seeing a bit of shaking in the armor," said Brig. Gen. William Crosby, program executive officer for aviation. "Some of our vendors have shut the doors. Yet demand [for parts] is the same in the field."
Science and technology (S&T) budgets are the tightest, although that has always been the case, Crosby said. "There ain't never enough money in S&T," he said. "Most of our efforts have been focused on 50-meter targets. We've got to think about the 200-meter target." The success of future advanced helicopters relies on a limited S&T investment, he said. "We need to start on this now," he said.
He urged industry to help the Army focus its efforts. "We have equitable distribution across limited resources," Crosby said. A misstep the Army has made in the past is to not share with industry. "We know you have some independent research and development funds," and if those monies are not focused toward Army priorities, "I submit we both failed," Crosby said.
As for budget decisions, which should be revealed this week, Crosby said "I honestly don't know [if] we're going to be okay." Whether cuts come across the board or if specific programs are targeted, the Army will have to manage the decision."
Photo credit: U.S. Army
