Boeing Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) is an agile, fully integrated, purpose-built system designed to meet the Army’s current mission needs while evolving as technologies and missions change. The design – a low-risk, affordable solution validated through extensive testing and analysis – has a thrust compounded single-main rotor boasting a six-bladed rotor system, a single engine, tandem seating and a modular, state-of-the-art cockpit with a reconfigurable large area display and autonomous capabilities.
Boeing’s U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) prototype offering, revealed on March 3 integrates the latest proven technology and manufacturing techniques to drive down risk and costs while offering the Army a brand new, flexible design that meets all Army requirements. Designed with the future fight in mind, Boeing FARA is ready to deliver a reliable, sustainable and flexible aircraft to the U.S. Army. The system will provide seamless integration within the Army ecosystem and a maintenance-friendly design for long-term sustainability.
The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program was initiated by the U.S. Army in 2018 to develop a successor to the now-retired Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopter as part of the larger Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The mandatory requirements of the program included the integration of government-furnished equipment: engine, gun and rocket launcher, a minimum speed, specific target gross weight, a maximum 40-foot diameter rotor, and an affordability goal.
Design contracts for FARA candidates were awarded to five manufacturers, out of eight proposals, in April 2019. They are AVX Aircraft (in partnership with L3Harris Technologies), Bell Bell 360 Invictus, Boeing FARA offering, Karem Aircraft AR40, and Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Aircraft RAIDER X. Two of the manufacturers will be selected to proceed with their designs in 2020, and prototypes are scheduled to first fly in 2023. The production design is scheduled for selection in 2028 but may occur sooner.