Army Advances Bell, M1, Lockheed to Second Phase of Flight School Next Competition

January 8, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1767911490252-1813

Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin Selected for Army's Rotary Wing Training Program

The Army has selected three companies - Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin - to move on to the next phase of the Flight School Next program. The companies will provide more information about their proposals and illustrate their full-scale solutions. According to Breaking Defense, Bell is offering its 505 model helicopter for the program, while M1 is serving as one of the primes for Robinson Helicopter’s R-66 model. Lockheed Martin is serving as a prime but has yet to announce which helo subcontractor it is teaming up with. The Army plans to award the final contract in September and will provide training for 800 to 1,500 rotary wing pilots per year.

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Key Takeaways

The Army has selected three companies - Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin - to move on to the next phase of the Flight School Next program.
The companies will provide more information about their proposals and illustrate their full-scale solutions.
Bell is offering its 505 model helicopter for the program.
M1 is serving as one of the primes for Robinson Helicopter’s R-66 model.
Lockheed Martin is serving as a prime but has yet to announce which helo subcontractor it is teaming up with.

US Army Bell M1 Lockheed Martin

Strategic Implications

The Army’s selection may indicate a preference for established defense contractors in training programs. The deployment of Bell’s 505 model helicopter and M1’s R-66 suggests a focus on proven technology and cost-effectiveness. However, the use of a COCO model may bring uncertainty to the program’s timeline and budget.