New Army FLRAA Attack Helicopter Surges Toward Production

By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News

It’s the US Army’s rotorcraft of the future, a tiltrotor aircraft designed to eventually replace the venerable UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter while being able to fly the increased distances that combat in the Indo-Pacific region would require. 

It’s the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, and last week it moved to the next stage of development – a key checkpoint in the acquisition process. 

“This is an important step for FLRAA and demonstrates the Army’s commitment to our highest aviation modernization priority, said Army acquisition chief Doug Bush. “FLRAA will provide assault and MEDEVAC capabilities for the future Army, adding significantly increased speed, range and endurance.” 

If all goes well, the Army will conduct the FLRAA’s first flight in 2026, followed by low-rate production in 2028, with the aircraft initially fielded in 2030.  

The program began in 2019, and Textron Bell was awarded the contract in 2022. It represents the Army’s largest aircraft procurement decision in 40 years. Among other things, the FLRAA was required to have the ability to travel roughly 2,440 nautical miles without refueling. While Bell has said the FLRAA is not designed for a specific theater, it’s clear that the added range will make it valuable in the Pacific. 

The FLRAA is able to fly not only farther and faster than the Black Hawk, it can land in the same size landing zones as the older helicopter can, as dictated by the “Gold Book standard” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  

It’s also been designed so it can fit into a standard Army Aviation hangar space.