Bell, Lockheed Martin, and M1 Advance in Helicopter Training Program
The US Army has selected three companies - Bell, Lockheed Martin, and M1 - to move forward in the Flight School Next program, which aims to provide training for 800 to 1,500 rotary wing pilots per year. The program will feature a new contractor-owned, contractor-operated model, allowing companies to own and run the program. The Army is seeking a simpler aircraft for training, with a single engine, after previously expressing concerns about the complexity and cost of the current UH-72 Lakota fleet. The contract is planned to be awarded by September, as reported by Breaking Defense.