In the week that a senior US Army aviation official conceded that the branch’s planned modernisation and Future Vertical Lift projects cannot both be funded in the face of potential further sequestration cuts, our Top 10 looks at the scale of service’s current fleet.
In-service totals are sourced from Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database. This indicates a US Army rotorcraft inventory totalling some 4,630 aircraft, although exact numbers for models including the OH-58 and TH-67A have experienced recent and as-yet unrecorded reductions due to an ongoing fleet transformation effort. This process has also seen some CH-47 and UH-60 aircraft placed into storage.
1: Sikorsky S-70/UH-60 Black Hawk. 2,139
US Army
Multiple versions of the Black Hawk provide the backbone for the US Army aviation force’s utility transport fleet, with new examples still being delivered. Many of the service’s UH-60As – the oldest recorded example in our database was built in 1978 – are heading for retirement, but its newer aircraft look set to benefit from a future re-engining activity now being pursued by for the Black Hawk and Apache attack helicopter.
2: Boeing AH-64 Apache. 775
AirTeamImages
Now being produced in the AH-64E version for the US Army and international customers, the Apache is starting to assume a new role for its lead operator. As part of a transfer of duties linked to the phasing out of the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior fleet, the Apache is to also assume the armed aerial scout role, including manned-unmanned teaming with unmanned air systems.
3: Bell OH-58 Kiowa Warrior. 573
US Army
The number of OH-58 Kiowa Warriors in use has recently dropped below our quoted fleet figure, as units begin to step down from armed scout operations. All of the army’s OH-58s will be removed from service as part of a wider aviation restructuring initiative which is intended to deliver savings worth $12 billion.
4: Boeing CH-47 Chinook. 528
US Army
The tandem-rotor CH-47 Chinook design looks set to achieve almost a century of flight, with the US Army planning to continue operating versions of the type until 2060. The service’s current multi-year procurement deal for the CH-47F will expire during fiscal year 2019, but it is already eyeing a Block 2 evolution with enhanced lift potential and perhaps also a Block 3 development, which would introduce an extended fuselage.
5: Airbus Helicopters EC145/UH-72A Lakota. 325
US Army
Based on the civilian EC145, the twin-engined UH-72A Lakota is in widespread use as a light utility helicopter. As part of a transformation of army aviation additional examples are to be used to deliver pilot training, replacing the Bell 206-based TH-67A. Airbus Helicopters delivered the first aircraft for the new training fleet on 25 March. To date, the US Army has ordered 400 of the European-designed type.
6: Bell 206/TH-67A. 182
US Army
Now deemed surplus to requirements, the TH-67A Creek is starting to leave the army’s training fleet. Based on the Bell 206, the single-engined aircraft in current use were built between 1993 and 2007.
7: Bell UH-1 Huey. 53
US Air Force
A small number of UH-1H/Vs remain in active service, performing roles including utility transport and medical evacuation. These aircraft were all manufactured in the early 1970s.
8: MD Helicopters MD500/AH-6. 47
US Department of Defense
A small fleet of AH-6 and MH-6 Little Bird rotorcraft are in use, primarily for use in support of special operations. Although the airframe design is more than 50 years old, rival derivatives are currently being offered by Boeing and MD Helicopters – most recently during the LIMA exhibition in Malaysia last month.
9: Mil Mi-8/17. 5
AirTeamImages
Our data suggests that five Mi-8/17 transports are on the US Army’s books, for utility and training use. These are believed to include aircraft originally owned by Iraq, and others acquired from Soviet-era operators.
10: Mil Mi-24. 3
AirTeamImages
A trio of Mi-24 “Hind” attack helicopters are recorded as being used for experimental and training purposes. Our pictured example – registration 91-22270 – was originally operated by the East German air force.
Source: Flight International
