This is interesting, and raises a few questions.
https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/us-army-cancels-fara-overhaul-aviation-plans?elqTrackId=25357B4AD260B7F2357F364D4693B733&elq=e943c5274d6a40a594930700b09a7053&elqaid=42510&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=35422&utm_rid=CPEN1000036174554&utm_campaign=42510&utm_medium=email&elq2=e943c5274d6a40a594930700b09a7053&utm_emailname=AW_News_Aerospace_20240209&sp_eh=0b694ff4bf4d06e0727aa3f9c537aeeb4651f3066eb91d499a695440437a991e

This is now the Army's third failure to replace the Kiowa.

They also communicated their intent to cancel the program to the media well before informing contacts at either company. Key leadership at each company found out just as media was publishing, but most of the employees found out from online posts. Kinda ****ty.

This is an engine program that cancelled a helicopter program. GE's engine was delivered a year and a half later than it was supposed to be, costing both competitors and the government many millions of dollars.

Also, as of last week and even earlier this week, FARA was still Army Aviation's number one priority... something smells corrupt.

lol, Bell was in the middle of a town hall Teams meeting when the news dropped. That was fun…

I agree that ITEP (the engine program) played a big role, but I also think the effectiveness of drones in Ukraine was a major factor as well.