The Pentagon canceled the program of creating a helicopter ARH

The Pentagon canceled the program to develop an army reconnaissance helicopters ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) at the high costs under exceedance. As reported by Defense News, a notice of denial of re-certification program was sent to the U.S. Congress Deputy Secretary of Defense for procurement of arms and military equipment by John Young.

The new reconnaissance helicopter ARH-70 was developed by Bell-based multi-Bell-407 as a replacement for OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Between 2005, when the contract was concluded on July 2008 the estimated value of the helicopter has increased more than 40 percent - from 8,6 up to 12,3 million dollars per unit. In addition, for two years has shifted the delivery schedule.

In August this year, the company Bell received an indication partly collapse of the program ARH. The restriction imposed for a period of three months, during which the Pentagon had planned to study the causes of the situation, assess the feasibility of controlling costs in the long run, as well as a rationale for the significance of the program for national security.

As a result, John Young did not find a better solution than abandon the ARH-70 and hold a new tender for the supply of reconnaissance helicopters for the U.S. Army. According to recent calculations, the cost of developing the ARH-70 has increased from 210 to 942 million dollars and the purchase of a helicopter would cost in 14.5 million dollars. Moreover, the timetable for delivery shifted to 2013.

Originally planned that the ARH-70 helicopters will arrive by the U.S. army aviation in June 2008. When in 2007, behind schedule, it became apparent it was decided to modernize the existing fleet of Kiowa Warrior.

The cost of one set of new avionics and systems for the protection of 2 million dollars. At the moment passed modernizing helicopters 7 of 10 squadrons. The U.S. Army has a total 339 units Kiowa Warrior, a large part of which is deployed in Iraq. At arming helicopters of this type have been adopted 40 years ago and are subject to cancellation until 2015.

The new tender for the supply of reconnaissance helicopters for the U.S. Army Aviation intends to participate with a helicopter company Boeing AH-6, which in 2004 gave way ARH-70. Building an AH-6 will be established in the city of Mesa, Arizona, in quantities ranging from 5 to 15 units per month.

The program ARH The U.S. Army had planned to buy 512 reconnaissance helicopters.