Navy writing classified FVL report to be delivered to CAPE early next year

The Navy is working on a classified report to brief service leadership next year on the future of its vertical lift program and has asked for industry input.

As the service’s current fleet of MH-60R/S helicopters and MQ-8B/C unmanned air vehicles will reach the end of their service lives in the 2030s, the Navy is seeking a future vertical lift capability with maritime strike to replace these platforms.

The analysis portion of the future vertical lift maritime strike analysis of alternatives has been completed, according to Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Travis Callaghan.

Currently, the AOA study team is focused on writing the “classified final report” which will be delivered to the Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation early next year, Callaghan told Inside Defense in a statement.

“Once the report is complete, the results will be briefed to Navy leadership and OSD CAPE for decisions on how to proceed,” he said.

Last year, the service released a request for information, asking industry for its solutions to help inform this AOA. The Navy told Inside Defense that the program received over 30 responses to the RFI, “ranging from aircraft manufacturers to sub-systems suppliers.”