🇺🇸 美陸軍航空部門面對突如其來的預算削減，積極調整未來戰略方向

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(Amy Tolson/U.S. Army)

2025年5月20日，Defense News 報導指出，美國陸軍航空部門正面臨一系列突如其來的預算削減與組織調整。國防部長皮特·赫格塞斯（Pete Hegseth）與陸軍部長丹·德里斯科爾（Dan Driscoll）於本月初分別發布備忘錄，宣布對指揮結構、部隊編制以及採購與現代化計劃進行重大變革。

這些變革包括取消或縮減關鍵項目，如現代化飛機引擎、偵察機以及大型需跑道的無人機等。雖然這些決策令陸軍航空領導層感到意外，但他們表示將積極應對，重新規劃航空部門在未來作戰中的角色。

陸軍航空卓越中心（Army Aviation Center of Excellence）指揮官克萊爾·吉爾少將（Maj. Gen. Clair Gill）在田納西州納什維爾舉行的陸軍航空協會年度會議上表示：「這些決策雖然出乎意料，但我們理解在固定預算下，必須做出艱難的取捨。」

具體調整措施包括：

• 削減8%的UH-60黑鷹直升機（Black Hawk）機隊規模。
• 取消未來攻擊偵察機（Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, FARA）競標計劃。
• 停止採購灰鷹無人機（Gray Eagle UAS）並取消替代Shadow無人機的競爭計劃。
• 將高精度探測與利用系統（HADES）計劃中的新型偵察機採購數量減半。
• 終止改進型渦輪引擎計劃（Improved Turbine Engine Program, ITEP），該計劃旨在為黑鷹與阿帕契直升機更換引擎。 

儘管面臨挑戰，陸軍航空部門仍致力於推進未來長程突擊飛機（Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, FLRAA）計劃，目標是在2028年前向士兵交付部分生產型平台。此外，陸軍也計劃加快無人機與發射效應系統的開發與部署，以應對多樣化的任務需求。

🔍 三大觀察重點

1. 預算壓力下的戰略重塑
    

   • 陸軍航空部門正面臨前所未有的預算削減，需在有限資源下重新規劃未來發展方向。

    

2. 聚焦無人化與遠程能力
    

   • 取消傳統有人機計劃，轉而加快無人機與遠程突擊飛機的研發，顯示出作戰模式的轉變。

    

3. 領導層的快速應變能力
    

   • 面對突如其來的政策變動，陸軍航空領導層展現出高度的適應性與前瞻性，積極調整戰略以符合新的作戰需求。

    

🌐 地理位置標示（GPS）

• 納什維爾，田納西州（Nashville, Tennessee）
   

  • 緯度：36.1627° N
  • 經度：86.7816° W

   

• 諾沃塞爾堡，阿拉巴馬州（Fort Novosel, Alabama）
   
  • 緯度：31.3169° N

  • 經度：85.7119° W

     

🇺🇸 U.S. Army Aviation Charts New Course Amid Unexpected Budget Cuts

On May 20, 2025, Defense News reported that the U.S. Army’s aviation branch is undergoing significant restructuring in response to unexpected budget cuts and organizational changes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll issued memos earlier this month announcing major changes to command structures, force formations, and acquisition and modernization efforts, including the cancellation or scaling back of key programs such as modernized aircraft engines, spy planes, and large runway-dependent unmanned aircraft.

Despite the surprise, Army aviation leaders are embracing change and working to redefine the role of aviation in future operations. Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, commander of the Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Novosel, Alabama, acknowledged the abrupt nature of the announcements but emphasized the necessity of making tough decisions within a fixed budget.

Specific adjustments include:

• Reducing the UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter fleet by 8%.
• Canceling the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competition.
• Halting procurement of the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and canceling the competition to replace the Shadow UAS.
• Halving the number of new spy planes planned under the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program.
• Terminating the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), which aimed to replace engines in Black Hawks and Apaches. 

Despite these challenges, the Army is committed to advancing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, aiming to deliver some production-level platforms to soldiers by 2028. Additionally, there is a focus on rapidly developing and fielding UAS and launched effects across the force to operate at various echelons and mission sets.

🔍 Three Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Restructuring Under Budget Constraints
    

   • The Army’s aviation branch is undergoing significant changes to align with new budgetary realities, requiring a reevaluation of priorities and capabilities.

    

2. Emphasis on Unmanned and Long-Range Capabilities
    

   • The shift away from traditional manned aircraft programs towards unmanned systems and long-range assault capabilities reflects a transformation in operational focus.

    

3. Adaptive Leadership in the Face of Change
    

   • Army aviation leaders are demonstrating adaptability and foresight, proactively adjusting strategies to meet evolving operational demands. 

    

🌐 GPS Coordinates

• Nashville, Tennessee
   

  • Latitude: 36.1627° N
  • Longitude: 86.7816° W

   

• Fort Novosel, Alabama
   

  • Latitude: 31.3169° N
  • Longitude: 85.7119° W