Army not ready to surrender heavy chopper.

• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY - Brief article

* Helicopter manufacturers have patiently been waiting for two decades for the Army to make up its mind on whether and when it will build a new heavy-lift chopper. This big-ticket acquisition--estimated to cost as much as $85 billion for 500 aircraft--may finally be showing signs of life.

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The Army has budgeted more than $20 million over the next two years to begin designing a new heavy-lift helicopter, said Paul Bogosian, Army program executive officer for aviation. But officials acknowledge that the project will not go far unless the Air Force agrees to participate. The new chopper potentially could replace the Army's Chinook...