The US Army has moved Bell, Lockheed Martin and M2 into Phase Two of its Flight School Next trainer competition, narrowing the field and targeting a contract award in September. Bell's bid discloses a Bell 505 platform and M2 proposes a Robinson R66; Lockheed's aircraft remains undisclosed.
Discovered |
Briefing
Phase Two selection keeps the Army on schedule to award Flight School Next by September, creating near‑term procurement and integration opportunities for OEMs and training systems suppliers. See the earlier industry submission by Boeing and Leonardo offering an AW119T-based integrated solution.
Disclosed platforms (Bell 505 and Robinson R66) show the Army is evaluating light, low‑risk rotorcraft options, which will influence supply‑chain, sustainment and fleet commonality planning for potential producers and MRO providers. Related Bell programme activity is detailed in the Army’s work with Bell on other rotorcraft efforts: Army and Bell accelerate MV‑75 tiltrotor funding and schedule.
The competition aligns with a broader move toward industry‑delivered training solutions and outsourcing of ab‑initio pipelines, underscored by the USAF’s recent $835M initial pilot training award to a civilian provider.
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Breaking Defense
• Carley Welch
Bell Textron advances to Phase 2 of U.S. Army Flight School Next competition • helicoptersmagazine.com