U.S. Army considers halting new helicopter purchases

Colton Jones

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Key PointsThe Department of War is evaluating a proposal to halt new U.S. Army helicopter purchases beginning in late 2026 and shift investment toward uncrewed aerial systems.

The concept focuses on sustaining and upgrading existing UH-60, AH-64, and CH-47 fleets while expanding strike, reconnaissance, and logistics drone programs.

The Department of War is evaluating a reform concept that would sharply reduce or halt the purchase of new piloted helicopters for the U.S. Army beginning in the second half of the decade, according to individuals familiar with internal discussions.

The concept under review focuses on maintaining and upgrading the current helicopter fleet while transitioning funding and force structure toward uncrewed strike, reconnaissance, and logistics platforms.

According to the individuals, the proposal centers on ending new helicopter acquisition as early as late 2026. Instead of investing in new production lines of piloted aircraft, the Army would consolidate spending on sustaining existing UH-60, AH-64 and CH-47 fleets while expanding programs that convert or supplement aviation units with uncrewed aerial systems. The concept is being presented as a way to reduce long-term personnel requirements, lower training and sustainment costs, and limit the exposure of aircrews during high-intensity operations.

The individuals said supporters of the reform have received backing from the Secretary of the Army, who is described as favoring increased reliance on uncrewed systems and less emphasis on new production of piloted rotorcraft. The concept also includes examining options to convert some existing platforms into remotely operated or autonomous variants where technically feasible.

The discussions take place as the Army continues to assess operational lessons from recent conflicts where uncrewed aircraft have operated at scale for reconnaissance, precision strike, artillery coordination, and logistics resupply. The individuals stated that the ability to deploy unmanned systems in larger numbers and at lower cost is a core argument behind the proposal.