Many existing aircraft models have been in service since the Vietnam era, therefore upgrades and developments are required across the board in order to support military activity at home and abroad. Over the past decade of war, the need for advanced rotary wing assets has grown exponentially as they are essential for troop delivery, MEDEVAC, close air support, logistical support and reconnaissance, border control and rescue operations.
Industry leaders and military personnel including highly respected experts, will together discuss, share, learn and develop their knowledge of military helicopters in an effort to provide all branches with improved, stronger, safer and more cost effective fleet
The conference will take place on 24-26 August, 2015 at Pensacola, Florida, USA, and will tackle the following main topics:
- Identifying current condition of military helicopters across all branches
- Understanding Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program requirements
- Developing current and future fleet upgrade and development requirements
- Implementing Rotary Wing modernization efforts
- Active duty upgrades for attack helicopter fleet including the AH-64 and Cobra
- Reducing of the UH-60 fleet by transferring them from the Army to the National Guard
- Modifying fleet avionics, starting with the remaining UH-60's
- Phasing out of Kiowa Reconnaissance Aircraft in order to replace with modified AH-64’s
- Finishing of USMC MV-22 Osprey and AH-1Z Viper transition
- Learning the SOCOM’s aviation asset requirements
Early confirmed Speakers include:
- Major (R) Bryan Smylie, Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, United States Marine Corps
- Major General (R) Gregg Sturdevant, Commanding General, 3rd Marine Air Wing, United States Marine Corps
- Colonel Henry Vanderborght, H-53 Program Manager, Naval Air Systems Command, United States Marine Corps
- Colonel (R) Chris Seymour, V-22 Program Manager, Bell Helicopter
- Mr. Patrick Donnelly, FVL – Medium Program Director, Boeing
Photo: Boeing AH-64A Apache
