ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

As the Army moves to replace its aging fleet of helicopters, the service must carefully manage long-term costs as it brings the next-generation aircraft into the force, according to a recent report.

The Army’s Future Vertical Lift program is one of its six top modernization priorities, and the service is working quickly to procure the new aircraft, with plans to field the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft in 2028 and the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in 2030.

The Army plans to phase out all its old Alpha-model UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters within the next five years, one of the service’s top acquisition officers said.

The Army has used the Black Hawk since the 1970s, and the venerable aircraft has undergone several upgrades since then, with Victor and Mike being the newest, digital models.

The Army needs help in a busy and complex world, Sgt. Major of the Army Dan Dailey said Monday in a forum on readiness.