Photo via Wikimedia Commons
U.S. President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2019 budget asks for $686.1 billion for the military. While this does include some $24 billion to procure aircraft, the Army is set to spend more on ground combat systems.
As reported by R&WI sister publication Avionics, allocated funding for procurement includes:
Advertisement
- 8 Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallions - $1.6 billion
- 60 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardians - $1.3 billion
- 6 Sikorsky VH-92 presidential helicopters - $900 million
- 77 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters - $10.7 billion
The U.S. Army is one of the helicopter industry's largest customer, in terms of aircraft operated. However, aviation procurement took a $400 million, or 10%, hit in the Army’s budget request unveiled Feb. 12, as reported by R&WI sister publication Defense Daily. This is the third year in a row aircraft procurement has paid bills for other priorities.