Number: RL32447
Title: Military Helicopter Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress
Authors: Christian F.M. Liles and Christopher Bolkcom, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Recent military operations, particularly those in Afghanistan and Iraq, have brought to the fore a number of outstanding questions concerning helicopters in the U.S. armed forces, including deployability, safety, survivability, affordability, and operational effectiveness. These concerns are especially relevant, and made more complicated, in an age of military transformation, the global war on terrorism, and increasing pressure to rein in funding for the military, all of which provide contradictory pressures with regard to DODs large, and often complicated, military helicopter modernization efforts. Despite these questions, the military use of helicopters is likely to hold even, if not grow. This report includes a discussion of the evolving role of helicopters in military transformation.
Pages: 51
Date: June 24, 2004