The contractors offering the US101 aircraft to the Air Force for its CSAR-X program say their vehicle employs a unique rotor design, called the British Experimental Rotor Program (BERP) to prevent brownouts—dust that can envelop an aircraft. At a briefing for reporters May 31, Terry Higginbotham, Agusta Westland’s managing director, commented that brownout prevention came as a surprise, but it is so important that DOD has its researchers studying whether it can be replicated for other helicopters. Among other features, Higginbotham noted that although the US101 has three engines, it could operate with only two. Lockheed Martin is prime contractor for the US101 team, which also include Bell Helicopter.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.