Throwback Thursday -- Helicopter Industry

Welcome to Throwback Thursday, InsideDefense.com's weekly look back at what was happening on or around this day in years past.

In an Aug. 7, 1995, story, Inside the Army reported on a new helicopter industrial base study, which found that although the United States' four prime military helicopter producers all remained viable, consolidation was likely in a market with decreasing defense dollars. The Pentagon, however, said it would allow market forces to control any consolidation decisions, according to the report.

Twenty years later, three of those four producers -- Boeing, Sikorsky and Textron -- remain in business. The fourth, McDonnell Douglas, was later acquired by Boeing.

Last month, Lockheed Martin announced its intention to purchase Sikorsky, which is now owned by United Technologies.

Story Link: http://insidedefense.com/inside-army/osd-let-market-forces-determine-fate-helicopter-industrial-base