The V-22 took forever, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle was cancelled, the F-35B is just now coming online years late, and now the Super Stallion is taking forever and may be cancelled.
Yet another DOD acquisition program in trouble. The entire system is FUBAR.
That CAPE is involved is just another example. They are the grandchildren of MacNamera’s wiz kids. Accountants who know everything and know nothing.
Pretty detailed, well-reasoned article and shows both sides fairly well.
CH-47s are much more mature, and the 53-Ks, although it looks like an old 53-E, is really a brand-new aircraft type, and bound to be plenty of growing pains.
Will be fun to see how this turns out. (Expensive, but fun).
An 8 year slip in IOC should cost several people their jobs and effectively kill the program.
Aren’t the Marines still flying CH-46s? Airframe longevity like that shows they can certainly weather a couple years more with the E series while waiting for the K.
The CH-53 has been around for decades.
And it has the greatest lift capacity of any helo in service.
Currently $120 million per helicopter but they think they can get it down to only $80 million?
%$#%@#*&^%$