The Army wants to stage a demonstration next April of armed light helicopters already available, the Army’s top helicopter buyer said Monday.
At the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference, Maj. Gen. Tim Crosby said companies must be ready to show what they have at the demonstration.
Only companies with existing helicopters are invited and no PowerPoint presentations are allowed.
“You don’t have an airplane; you don’t play,” Crosby said, according to Reuters. “If it doesn’t fly, don’t bother to show up.”
The Army is trying to upgrade or replace its OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters and is deferring work on a new helicopter until 2013.
Boeing plans to offer a version of its AH-6 Little Bird helicopter. EADS has developed three prototypes based on its UH-72 Light Utility helicopter.
Sikorsky Aircraft, owned by United Technologies, Bell Helicopter and AVX Aircraft, may also offer a helicopter.
