The US Army is poised to convert a remanufacturing order for about 1,200 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks into an all-new aircraft purchase, significantly boosting the cost of the contract. The additional new-build orders, expected by industry officials to be part of the fiscal year 2006 budget request to be announced this month, will add to 300 new UH-60Ms already in the army's acquisition plan, bringing the total order to about 1,500 aircraft. At the same time, the proposal would create a massive surplus inventory of used UH-60As and UH-60Ls even as the army seeks to buy a 322-aircraft light utility helicopter fleet, which is largely focused on the Army National Guard.
Source: Flight International
