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M1 Support Services won a contract to operate the service’s new Flight School Next Program, the Army announced Thursday, shifting training and equipment to a “contractor-owned, contractor-operated” model at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

The award, worth up to $10 billion for up to 26 years, comes amid growing concern about aviation catastrophes that, according to Pentagon data released in 2025, showed around a 55% jump in serious accidents during the 2024 budget year, compared to four years prior.

“Flight School Next delivers a critical improvement in our Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training model. Simply put, it delivers new military helicopter pilots with far better foundational skills,” said Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, head of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, in the release. “The fact that it delivers this increased capability at a significant long-term savings to our Army is a great added benefit.”

As recently as last week, the Army directed a service-wide AH64 Apache training flight standdown after a helicopter crash near Fort Hood, Texas, killed two soldiers.

Under the new plan, M1 is set to train 800 to 1,500 Army pilots each year. The company, which beat out Bell for the contract, focused its plan on using Robinson Helicopters’ R66 airframe. The Army currently trains around 1,250 rotary-wing pilots annually on a UH-72 Lakota helicopter, which some have argued allows students to rely too heavily on advanced technology instead of developing basic flight skills.

The transition is expected to take three to four years, and eventually, M1 will provide the helicopters, maintenance, flight simulators and instruction. The Army retains training oversight.

In an Army release, Brent G. Ingraham, the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, called the move “a major step forward in modernizing how we train our aviation force.”

On Friday afternoon, the Army said leaders ordered a “temporary stand-down of AH64 Apache training flight operations.” The announcement came two days after an AH-64E Apache from 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood crashed during a maintenance test flight.

“The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident,” the statement said. “We currently have no additional information to share.”

The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is investigating the cause of the crash.

The Apache crashed roughly 30 miles away from the base, in Salado, Texas. The crash killed  Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead, two pilots assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. 

The two-seater attack helicopter has been in service since the 1980s and has been updated to deal with changing tactics and weapons. 

Wednesday’s crash was the latest in several military aviation mishaps inside the United States over the last four months. The crashes have involved aircraft from across the military and some have been fatal.

The post Army grounds Apache helicopter training flights after deadly Fort Hood crash appeared first on Task & Purpose.

Both soldiers’ names are being withheld pending next of kin notification, the news release says. The soldiers will be transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center  at Fort Hood.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement.

The helicopter went down in Salado, Texas — less than 30 miles southeast of the Army base.  The two crew members aboard the Apache were pronounced dead at the scene Wednesday afternoon, said Cliff Coleman, a spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.

Coleman said the two crew members were the only ones aboard the helicopter at the time of the crash and referred further questions to officials at Fort Hood and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

The Apache crash is the latest military aircraft training accident in recent months. In May, two Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided midair during a demonstration at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and all four pilots ejected. In June, a Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed and a pilot ejected near Mount Rainier in Washington state. Also that month, eight people were killed after an Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Then, just last month, an F-35B crashed while landing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California. The pilot was recovered and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

UPDATE: 8/12/20226 This article has been updated with information from a Fort Hood news release.

The post Army Apache helicopter crash in Texas kills 2 crew members aboard appeared first on Task & Purpose.

Source: YouTube

Summary

Two dead after military Apache helicopter crashes near Fort Hood in Texas

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This video provides visual context for the story and helps readers quickly understand the key development from the original source.

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Source: YouTube

Summary

Two dead after military Apache helicopter crashes near Fort Hood in Texas

Why It Matters

This video provides visual context for the story and helps readers quickly understand the key development from the original source.

Watch Original Video