Army Flight School Next Draws Global Aerospace Contenders in Race to Revolutionize Pilot Training
The U.S. Army’s ambitious effort to modernize its rotary-wing pilot training program has drawn significant attention from both American and international aerospace contenders. According to a recent report titled “Inside: Six helo companies gunning for the Army’s Flight School Next program,” published by Breaking Defense, six major helicopter manufacturers have submitted proposals to take part in the Army’s updated training initiative known as Flight School Next (FSN).
Flight School Next represents a critical overhaul of how the Army trains its aviators, aiming to implement advanced technologies and reduce long-term costs. The program seeks to replace the aging TH-67 Creek training helicopters with a more modern fleet while integrating cutting-edge simulators, virtual reality tools, and improved classroom instruction. The modernization plan underscores the service’s long-term vision for cultivating a more agile and mission-ready aviation force.
Firms vying for the contract include a mix of commercial aerospace leaders and specialized defense contractors. The six competing teams—Bell, Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters, Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky, a partnership between Skyryse and Moog, and a relative newcomer, Hillwood Aviation Mobility—are proposing a diverse array of aircraft and training solutions. Some entrants are offering off-the-shelf commercial helicopters already in service around the world, while others are pitching broader training ecosystems that blend advanced cockpits, automation, and AI-driven analytics to enhance pilot performance.
One of the Army’s chief goals is to ensure the chosen platform meets requirements for instrument and tactical flying training, while minimizing fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and emissions. Additionally, the selected solution must be scalable to address a fluctuating number of student pilots and adaptable enough to remain relevant over the program’s projected decades-long duration.
Breaking Defense reports that the competitors must navigate a uniquely structured competition, which divides the contract into two distinct parts: the selection of a helicopter platform and the selection of a training services provider. This segmented strategy allows the Army to increase competition and encourage innovation by giving contract awards based on a combination of technical merit, logistical feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Industry observers see the FSN competition as a bellwether for broader trends in military training procurement. The emphasis on full-spectrum readiness, driven by hybrid approaches that combine live and virtual instruction, reflects the Department of Defense’s evolving priorities. At the same time, the serious push for supplier diversity—featuring traditional primes alongside newer entrants—points to the Pentagon’s increasing openness to tapping emerging technologies and business models.
Once evaluated, proposals will undergo flight, simulation, and maintenance assessments. The Army is expected to down-select finalists in 2026 and award one or more contracts by late 2027. With the potential to deliver hundreds of aircraft and train thousands of new military pilots over the coming decades, the FSN program marks a pivotal investment in the future of Army aviation.
