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Army Selects Three Companies for Flight School Next

January 8, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The Army selected Bell, Lockheed Martin, and M1 for Flight School Next.
The program will train 800 to 1,500 rotary wing pilots per year.
The contract is planned to be awarded by September.
The Army is looking for a new contractor-owned, contractor-operated model.

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Strategic Implications

This selection may indicate the Army's preference for a more streamlined and cost-effective training model. The contractor-owned, contractor-operated approach could suggest a shift towards greater privatization of military training, which may have implications for the future of Army aviation.

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What Happened

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.

Source

Companies Mentioned