Dutch air force chief dissatisfied with U.S. Army helicopter plan

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter is one of the vehicles that may be replaced by the Future Vertical Lift program. U.S. Army photo

LONDON, Sept. 15 (UPI)

The U.S. military's Future Vertical Lift program to develop new battlefield helicopters does not impress the top air force chief in the Netherlands.

Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) commander Lt. Gen. Alexander Schnitger spoke at a rotorcraft panel at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition in London on Sept. 14, and voiced his disappointment with the ongoing U.S. efforts to create the next generation of helicopters.

"So far I am not impressed or convinced that the current plans are advanced enough to survive use past 2030," Lt. Gen. Shnitger said.

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