DoD Kills Textron's Recon Helo Program

DoD Kills Textron's Recon Helo Program
October 17, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has canceled the Army's multibillion-dollar reconnaissance helicopter program being developed by Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter.

Defense Undersecretary John Young said Oct. 16 that officials decided to dump the program - which has been over-budget and behind schedule - to look for another replacement for the existing Kiowa aircraft, the Army's most heavily used fleet in Iraq and Afghanistan that is also built by Bell.

Young said the Pentagon will not certify the new program, ultimately forcing the Army to terminate the contract. The Army initially said it might cancel the helicopter program in July after a significant cost breach.

Development of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter was initially set at about $359 million, with each aircraft costing about $8.5 million. That price has soared to $942 million for development and nearly $14.5 million for each helicopter.

The Defense Department said it would have cost $9.2 billion for the 512 helicopters the Army was expected to buy by the year 2021.


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