How the US Army is preparing its rotary wings fleet for tomorrow’s warfare
The CH-47 Chinook has been the service's only heavy-lift cargo helicopter. (Photo: US Army)
The branch has been upgrading its helicopters with advanced sensors, systems and technologies.
The US Army has been increasing efforts to modernise its rotary-wing fleet and better prepare its helicopters to succeed on the current and future battlefields. Apart from acquiring new platforms, the US has been also improving its in-service platforms.
The approach has involved upgrading its current inventory with advanced sensors, systems and technologies in order to increase crew protection, situational awareness and lethality.
In December 2023, the branch awarded Northrop Grumman a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the initial production units of the AN/APR-39E(V)2 digital radar warning receiver with instantaneous bandwidth and frequency coverage.
Featuring an open
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF to use augmented reality technology in F-16 cockpit]()
USAF to use augmented reality technology in F-16 cockpit
The US Air Force awarded Red6 a contract to install its ATARS software into the aircraft to provide new training solutions, following successful integrations in the T-38 Talon and MC-130.
-
![Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff]()
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
-
![Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped]()
Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the decision to discontinue discussions on the fighter training detachment was mutually agreed with the US.
-
![India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals]()
India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals
With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.
