http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Aerial_Scout

The Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) is the planned replacement for the OH-58 Kiowa in U.S. Army service. AAS replaces the previous Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program. An Analysis of Alternatives is underway and a Request for Proposals will be issued in 2014.

Interim replacement options were scheduled to test fly in spring 2012. Contenders were:

AAS-72X

• In October 2010 a consortium of EADS North America, American Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin announced that is was preparing to fly the first of three AAS-72X prototypes. The design is in the same family as the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota.

Bell OH-58F

• Also called the OH-58 Block II, it is an upgrade of the current Kiowa Warrior.

Boeing AH-6S

• Improved version of the MH-6 Little Bird

AgustaWestland AW109

• Multipurpose light helicopter

Sikorsky S-97 Raider

• In May 2009, Sikorsky unveiled a mock-up of its X2-based contender later given company's S-97 designation.

OH-58D/AVX

• Proposed by the AVX Aircraft Company is an upgrade of the current OH-58D design to meet the AAS requirement. The design uses the basic Kiowa fuselage and adds a counter-rotating coaxial rotor and two ducted fans.

2012 Contenders

As of June 2012, the contenders include:

AgustaWestland AW139M

Boeing AH-6

EADS AAS-72X

Bell OH-58F

Sikorsky S-97 Raider

MD-540F