Search

U.S. Commander: U.S.-Built Airframe Should Replace Afghan Air Force’s Russian Helicopters

U.S. Commander: U.S.-Built Airframe Should Replace Afghan Air Force’s Russian Helicopters
Mi-17 helicopters operated by the 2nd Wing of the Afghan National Army Air Force take off at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 23, 2013. (U.S. Army photo/Released)

The Afghan Air Force’s (AAF) Russian-built helicopters are wearing out flying close air support missions against the Taliban and need to be replaced with new airframes that the U.S. government is allowed to buy and service, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan told Congress Thursday.Army Gen. John Campbell testified before Congress he has called for a plan to “convert” aircraft like the Russian Mi-17 twin-engine utility helicopters in the AAF fleet “to probably a U.S. aircraft.”“The frames that we…

Subscriber-only content. Please log in below.

Not a subscriber or registered user yet?

Please contact us at clientservices@accessintel.com or call us at 888-707-5814 (Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET.), to start a free trial, get pricing information, order a reprint, or post an article link on your website.



Congress Updates

Lawmakers Request DoD Briefing On Army’s Planned Cuts To Aviation Procurement

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has sent a letter asking the Pentagon for a briefing on the potential industrial base impacts as a result of the Army’s planned cuts […]


CENTCOM Looking To Lessons Learned From Use Of LUCAS Drones

U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) is looking to lessons learned from its use of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones by Phoenix-based SpektreWorks, according to CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper. […]


Hegseth Says DoD Open To Reviewing Army’s Planned Cuts To Legacy Helicopter Procurement

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers the Pentagon is open to reviewing the Army’s planned procurement cuts to its legacy manned aviation fleet. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), ranking member […]


Appropriators Press For Details On Iran War Costs; DoD’s $29B Estimate Doesn’t Include Base Damage

The Pentagon estimates the U.S.’ ongoing conflict with Iran has now cost at least $29 billion, while a lead official noted the updated figure does not factor in damage to […]