FLRAA Production Acceleration Act of 2025
The FLRAA Production Acceleration Act of 2025 would authorize the Secretary of the Army to begin early, low-rate production of up to 24 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) before full-rate production is approved. This accelerated procurement aims to get operational capability to the field sooner, maintain momentum from testing into full production, and stabilize the specialized workforce and industrial base (including suppliers and facilities in Texas, Kansas, and other states). The bill emphasizes incorporating lessons from testing, cost-containment, and keeping the aircraft design adaptable through modular open systems architecture and a digital backbone to allow future upgrades. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary would also report to Congress on the implementation plan, industrial-base readiness, and estimated long-term cost savings and benefits.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes the Army to enter into contracts for up to 24 FLRAA aircraft as part of an accelerated low-rate early production effort, ahead of full-rate production.
- 2Objectives include expediting warfighter capability, maintaining learning continuity from test articles to full production, stabilizing the industrial base and workforce (including suppliers and facilities in Texas, Kansas, and other states), and reducing lifecycle cost escalation.
- 3Requires the Army to prioritize continuity, cost-efficiency, and workforce retention; ensure early-production aircraft incorporate lessons from testing; and maintain a flexible design using modular open systems architecture and a digital backbone for future upgrades.
- 4Specifies emphasis on preserving the specialized workforce and supply chain across the tiltrotor program.
- 5Mandates a report to Congress within 180 days detailing implementation plans, industrial-base readiness, supply-chain coordination, and estimated long-term cost savings and operational benefits.