Richard Kretzschmar, project manager for the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program at the US Army, has alleged that Congress’ interim Continuing Resolution (CR) limits funding for the program, during a recent event held by Defense One and the Association of the US Army.
The FVL plan is part Army’s goal to upgrade its current fleet of military helicopters such as the Apache, Black Hawk. FVL grade choppers will use better technology and designs for increased range, payload and reliability.
According to Kretzschmar, the Army has the funding to conduct a so-called "analysis of alternatives" to the FVL program. At this stage, officials are considering medium-lift capability set III aircraft for deployment in the Army, Marines, and Special Operations Command, IHS Jane’s reports. The Army hopes to conduct a request for proposals to build the rotorcraft vehicles by 2019, with production taking place in 2024, unless funding is freed up to accelerate FVL development, IHS Jane’s notes.
CRs are stop-gap budgets that only provide funding for a certain parts of the year. This effectively limits the DoD’s ability to enter into long-term contracts, according to a Congressional Research Service brief. The CR, passed on September 29, allocates discretionary funds to the DoD at fiscal year 2016 levels, approximately $8-billion lower than what the DoD requested for FY 2017, according to the brief.
CRs can impose some limits on DoD efforts. The resolution is written in a way "that provides for minimal continuation of projects and activities," the issue brief notes. However, according to the Congressional Research Service brief, the FVL program is not listed as one of the DoD’s initiatives that is in jeopardy due to uncertainty caused by the CR.
The Congressional Research Service brief quoted US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter stating recently that CRs effectively place commanders in a "straight jacket" by interfering with their ability to "keep pace with complex national security challenges."
