Contractors Expect Additional JHL Funding

Companies supporting U.S. Army efforts to flesh out a Joint Heavy Lift aircraft expect a new lot of funding for more research soon. Sikorsky Aircraft, a Bell Helicopter/Boeing team, and Karem Aircraft cleared the first hurdle last year, having been selected to continue work on their proposals. Sikorsky had proposed a high-speed lifter based on its X2 technology demonstrator. Bell/Boeing offered their Quad Tilt-Rotor two-wing evolution of their V-22, while Karem is working on an optimum-speed rotor concept. The project is looking at a C-130-size aircraft to support the Army’s Future Combat Systems programs. For related news