Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $2.76 billion contract by the US Army for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Alternative Warhead rocket pods, GMLRS Unitary Warhead rocket pods, Low-Cost Reduced Range Practice rocket pods and associated services. The delivery deadline for these systems is fall 2024.

Bell is expanding its workforce in Wichita, Kan., to support the development of the Invictus 360 and V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft for the US Army Future Long-range Assault Aircraft and Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft programs.

The Heritage Foundation's Thomas Spoehr, a retired US Army three-star general, says that current calls to cut defense spending are overblown as the Army invests heavily in key weapons systems that are close to being fielded. The next two years are crucial when it comes to funding for US Army missile system upgrades, including the Integrated Battle Command System, Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense, Iron Dome and Indirect Fire Protection Capability.

The US Army is investing $7 billion to produce 18 total prototypes for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft programs, learning from the cancellation of the 2004 Comanche helicopter program which spent billions to develop only two prototypes. Maj. Gen. Walter Rugen says industry partners such as Boeing, Sikorsky and Bell have spent heavily on the programs and have "significant skin in the game."