SOCOM AIRCRAFT SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND UPGRADES AIR DELIVERY VEHICLES.

• Author: Lee, Connie

Facing an evolving threat environment, Special Operations Command is modifying its fleet of rotary- and fixed-wing platforms to ensure commandos can reach their destinations around the globe.

Militaries worldwide are increasing their reliance on special operators, and the demand for airlift capabilities is expected to rise, said Matthew Beres, airborne retrofit and modernization analyst at Forecast International, a Newton, Connecticut-based marketing consulting firm.

"The airlift platforms must be able to align with special operations needs such as stealth, while being capable of sustaining high [operational tempo]... meaning they need to be maintained properly and available for missions," he said in an email.

For rotary wing aircraft, SOCOM may leverage the Army's future vertical lift work to replace its mission-enhanced Little Bird helicopters. As a nimble unarmed system, the MH-6M troop transport variant is used to deliver special operations forces in and out of tight spaces and can also be used for reconnaissance.

However, the service's legacy fleet is aging, said Navy Lt. Phillip Chitty, a spokesperson for the command.

"Sustaining the current capability presents readiness challenges due to the age of the current fleet," he told National Defense in an email. "Many of the airframes have been in service since the 1980s with some dating back to Vietnam."

SOCOM Acquisition Executive Jim Smith said the command is eyeing the Army's future vertical lift capability "set one" for a potential replacement. The Army is pursuing the future attack reconnaissance aircraft to meet this need. FVL is the Army's push to replace its current rotary fleet with modernized systems in the 2030s. Capability set one refers to the lightest platform in the effort.

"We haven't passed the point of no return where we don't think that [future attack reconnaissance aircraft] is potentially the replacement" for the mission enhanced Little Bird, Smith said during remarks at the Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Symposium and Exhibition in Arlington, Virginia, hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association.

Key requirements for a future replacement include improving the aircraft's range, speed, aerial refueling and strategic airlift capabilities, Chitty said.

Until a replacement is available, SOCOM is performing block 3 upgrades on the Little Bird. The modifications include a new airframe shell, a performance enhancement kit and upgrades to the cockpit...