Degraded Visual Environment

The Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) program is a key initiative within the Army's Aircraft Procurement budget, specifically under the Modification of Aircraft sub-activity. The primary objective of this program is to enhance aircrew safety and operational effectiveness by providing advanced visual aids that allow pilots to navigate and avoid hazards in conditions where visibility is compromised, such as dust, fog, smoke, or darkness.

The DVE program is centered on the procurement and fielding of the Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System (DVEPS), which delivers a fused, multi-sensor image of the terrain and obstacles ahead of the aircraft. This supports hazard avoidance during all phases of flight. The DVEPS integrates data from multiple sensors to create a real-time, synthetic view of the environment, significantly reducing the risks associated with brownout, whiteout, and other visibility-limiting scenarios. Designed to be modular and upgradeable, the system ensures compatibility with future technology insertions and evolving mission requirements. DVEPS is being fielded on select platforms, with a focus on the HH-60M and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, which are critical to Army aviation operations.

Under the direction of the Program Executive Office for Aviation (PEO AVN) and in partnership with the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the initial phase of the DVE program, known as DVE Directed Requirement (DR) #1, resulted in the fielding of DVEPS to HH-60M aircraft. This phase emphasized rapid deployment to meet urgent operational needs, with ongoing data collection to inform future improvements. The aircraft equipped under this phase continue to provide valuable flight and reliability data, supporting the refinement of DVEPS capabilities.

Following the completion of DR #1, the General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC) initiated DVE DR #2 in 2022, which redefined the program's scope to address emerging requirements. The revised objective under DR #2 is to field DVEPS to additional UH-60M aircraft. This adjustment reflects the Army's commitment to expanding DVEPS coverage across its rotary-wing fleet, with funding being repurposed to support this new focus upon finalization of the updated requirement. The fielding of DVEPS to the UH-60M fleet aims to standardize advanced pilotage capabilities and further mitigate operational risks in challenging environments.

The DVE Increment 1 Army Capabilities Development Document (A-CDD) outlines the future trajectory of the program, emphasizing rapid prototyping and the adoption of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). This approach ensures that DVE solutions remain adaptable, interoperable, and compliant with the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) standards. The A-CDD is intended to inform both the enduring fleet and the development of next-generation aircraft, such as the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). This effort has not yet received dedicated funding.

Budget justification for the DVE line item highlights the operational necessity of providing Army aviators with reliable tools to operate safely in degraded visual conditions. The program's funding supports the procurement, integration, and fielding of DVEPS, as well as ongoing data collection and system refinement. The Army's approach leverages lessons learned from early fielding efforts and is structured to be responsive to evolving requirements, ensuring that the DVE capability remains relevant and effective as operational needs change.