HELICOPTER MODIFICATIONS MAKING THE TRANSITION TO MEET CHANGING REQUIREMENTS IN TODAY’S ENVIRONMENT

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the transition from the acquisition of new helicopters to the emphasis of performing modifications of existing. helicopters in response to the realignment initiatives and reduced budgets which DOD is facing. The transition to modification programs will reduce cost and improve the effectiveness of the military to meet rapid, changing needs in today’s world environment. U.S. military helicopter modification programs will soon be the largest segment of the DOD helicopter program environment. The U.S. Military is beginning to realize that in order to have an effective helicopter force which can perform in all areas of battlefield dynamics requires constant changes in the systems technology which helicopters use. Modification programs performed in a competitive environment provide significant savings for the DOD which can then use the saved resources for other programs. Efficient modification programs require a different process than manufacturing new helicopters which is not clearly understood or used by the DOD or by the OEM aerospace companies. This paper outlines the challenges and processes of helicopter modification programs.