Article Posted on : - Dec 13, 2011

Conceptual graphic illustration of the potential future Joint Multi-Role configuration for the next-generation helicopter. A US Army photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): The US Army in partnership with Pentagon is in the early stages of designing a next-generation multi-role helicopter which will replace most of its existing platforms.

The new helicopter with improved range, speed, propulsion, avionics, electronics and payload capacity, is being developed under the Army-led Joint Multi-Role (JMR) programme.

The programme envisions building the rotorcraft having a speed of over 170 knots, a combat radius of 424 kilometers and an overall combat range greater than 800 kilometers, and hover capability with a full combat load under high/hot conditions (altitudes of 6,000 feet and 95 degrees F).

Possible design plans for the new rotorcraft include autonomous flight capability and use of tilt-rotor technology to achieve higher speed at hover.

The helicopter is being planned to be developed for multiple missions including armed scout, attack, utility, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, SAR, special warfare support, vertical replenishment and airborne mine countermeasures.

The US Army has been considering development of the new-generation helicopter since 2004 and also trying to rope in the other US Services into the programme.

The new chopper is expected to replace all of Army's helicopters including scout, attack, utility and cargo and also similar platforms used by the US Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

"The JMR programme, which seeks to begin designing several demonstrator aircraft by 2013 and conduct a first flight in 2017 as a series of first steps toward developing a next-generation fleet of helicopters, is a subset of Pentagon's Joint Future Vertical Lift effort squarely aimed at exploring emerging technologies and best identifying the realm of the possible with respect to future aircraft and helicopter capabilities," the Army said in a statement.

The DOD plans to begin fielding the new fleet of next-generation helicopters by 2030.