Budget Account
2040A - Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Army
Description
The Aircraft Certification program is designed to ensure the safe operation of Army aircraft by providing technical design approval and qualification of systems to meet airworthiness standards. This initiative supports both developmental and in-production Army aircraft, including manned and unmanned systems, as mandated by Army Regulation 70-62. The program's primary objective is to certify the airworthiness of nearly 20,000 assigned Army aircraft through comprehensive engineering functions such as design, analysis, testing, and compliance with system specifications.
A key component of the program is the management and execution of the Army Military Airworthiness Certification Criteria (AMACC). This involves overseeing airworthiness approvals for new systems and material changes across all assigned Army aircraft systems. The program also provides engineering support for major development and modification projects, as well as future system requirements for the Program Executive Officer for Aviation (PEO AVN) and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Technology Applications Program Office (TAPO). Additionally, it manages test and evaluation processes critical to the airworthiness qualification process.
The program extends its scope to include general research and development efforts that support aircraft qualification and overarching airworthiness projects involving multiple aircraft models. It collaborates with the Federal Aviation Administration's Military Certification Office to certify military-use civil derivative aircraft. Furthermore, it participates in national and international airworthiness activities such as the National Airworthiness Council and treaty-mandated initiatives like Flight Into Non-segregated Airspace (FINAS). These efforts are crucial for establishing certification criteria aligned with priority research areas under the Army Modernization Strategy.
In terms of future planning, the Aircraft Certification program focuses on refining AMACC documents and conducting technical assessments to demonstrate airworthiness for modernization initiatives like the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft and Advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The program also supports developing design standards, maintaining situational awareness in global airworthiness committees, and advancing safety synchronization across fleets. These activities are executed by entities such as the United States Army Futures Command (AFC) and U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL.