Boeing Choppers Army Wants to Cut Are Backed by Senate Panel

By Roxana Tiron

The Senate panel that controls U.S. defense spending rejected an Army proposal to stop production of Boeing’s Chinook helicopters.

  • Senate Appropriations Defense Subcmte added $28m in advance procurement funds for continued production of the Chinook CH-47 Block II, according to report Bloomberg Government obtained
    • NOTE: The full Appropriations Cmte is scheduled to act on the defense spending measure Thursday
  • Lawmakers are asking the secretary of the Army to assess increased costs and production issues that could delay a “successful program” before submitting budget request for fiscal year 2021: report
  • NOTE: Army’s proposed FY20 plan called for saving $962m through 2024 by cutting 28 of 68 previously planned Chinook heavy-lift helicopters – all 22 of an upgraded standard model plus six of a version for special operations
  • Separately, the appropriations panel wants the Air Force to buy new light-attack aircraft instead of continuing to research options; panel is requesting an updated procurement plan, according to report
  • Panel also recommended $210m in procurement funds; Textron is making one version of the aircraft, the AT-6B, in Wichita, Kan.; the other version, the A-29, is made by Sierra Nevada, and Embraer Defense and Security in Jacksonville, Fla.
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