Rotorcraft
GAO: Key Defense Rotorcraft Programs Delayed
Pentagon rotorcraft programs beset by technical, supply chain problems, GAO finds.
New Marine One still singes the grass. (Photo: Sikorsky)
New Marine One still singes the grass. (Photo: Sikorsky)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has taken the Pentagon to task over the progress of several new military rotorcraft programs in its recently released Weapons Systems Annual Assessment. They included the VH-92A (Marine One), CH-53K heavy lift replacement helicopter for the Marines, the CH-47F Block II for the Army, and the MH-139A and HH-60W for the Air Force. The programs are all late, in varying degrees, and continue to face technical and operational challenges. With the exception of the CH-53K, all the programs utilize pre-existing airframes and attempt to modify them to mission requirements.