The General Accountability Office published a report highlighting the development progress of a U.S. Navy initiative to replace its presidential helicopter fleet with the Sikorsky VH-92A aircraft. The VH-92A acquisition program decreased its developmental costs by four percent since its conception in April 2014 due to some changes in design, stable requirements and program efficiency, GAO said Thursday.
The agency also noted that while the program remains in schedule, the delays within the initiative will lessen the time needed to evaluate the beginning of the production phase by three to five months. In addition, it may also affect the aircraft’s performance requirements including its mission communications system and landing zone suitability.
The report added that the program intends to address gaps in communication links and other related segments.
