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
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