The Marine Light Attack Helicopter Paradigm: Upgrade, Replace or Invest in the Future?
Abstract
If defense budget cuts continue their present trend, the Marine Light Attack Helicopter (HMLA) community will support the Corps of the 21st century with 1980 technology because of improper funding and wait-and-see strategies. Trapped in a decreasing Defense budget crunch, the aging fleet of HMLA helicopters will enter the 21st century without the technological enhancements desperately needed to support the Commandant's operational maneuver from the sea (OMFTS). The HMLA community continues to choose an upgrade vice replacement strategy. HMLA funding has historically fallen to the back of the line concerning congressional funding and military priorities. The UH-1N needs to be replaced, not upgraded. Money spent on the HML-60 and dollars invested now into tilt rotor technology will keep the HMLA community viable beyond the first quarter of the 21st century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA491771
Entities
Organizations
- Marine Corps University