Army seeking information to inform MEDEVAC risk reduction for FLRAA

The Army is asking for technical information to inform the medical evacuation risk-reduction capabilities for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, according to a request for information posted Tuesday.

Following a lengthy downselect process, the Army awarded Textron’s Bell the $1.3 billion FLRAA contract last December. The service conducted more than 20 soldier touchpoints with infantry and MEDEVAC soldiers and pilots to help inform the requirements, the Army said at the time.

FLRAA will gradually replace the UH-60 Black Hawk starting in 2030. However, the Army’s top officials have said that the future aircraft is not a one-for-one replacement of the UH-60, and they expect the legacy fleet to continue flying for another 40 to 50 years.

The RFI posted Tuesday states the Program Executive Office for Aviation is seeking information to “inform FLRAA MEDEVAC risk-reduction activities for FLRAA MEDEVAC.”

Among the types of capabilities the Army is interested in, according to the notice, are aircraft hoist systems that can lift 800 pounds, a MEDEVAC Enhanced Modular Patient Handling System that can fit in the cabin of the aircraft and a MEDEVAC mission sensor that can locate and remove patients in many types of conditions.

The RFI also states that there will be a subsequent industry day and follow-on government and industry sessions. The information collected will be used for information and planning, but is not a solicitation, the notice states.

FLRAA is scheduled to enter milestone B, the transition to the engineering and manufacturing development stage, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, service officials said in April at the Army Aviation Association of America conference in Nashville.