Sec. 344. Limitation on transformation by the Army of primary helicopter training program at Fort Rucker, Alabama
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/bill/119/s/2296/es/section-344·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act for fiscal year 2026 to the Army may be obligated or expended for the solicitation for proposals or to award a contract for the implementation of any transformation of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing training program at Fort Rucker, Alabama, until— the completion of the Part 141 Helicopter Flight School Training Pilot proof of concept plan conducted by the Department of the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration, including— all three phases of Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training Phases 1 & 2 and Phase 3 Warfighter Tactical Training Phase; and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the training pilot, which shall include the results of six classes of eight students each (48 students total) and is scheduled to be completed in May 2026; the Secretary of the Army (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) has fully assessed and validated the outcomes of such training pilot, including cost, operational effectiveness, safety, and training efficacy; the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees a report detailing the results of such training pilot and the rationale for any proposed changes to training systems or platforms resulting from such training pilot; an independent assessment of the business case analysis and implementation plan for such transformation has been conducted by the Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which shall include— an analysis of the cost to produce an aviator qualified under Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training Phases 1 & 2 utilizing the current training model and aircraft as well as the cost to produce such an aviator utilizing the helicopter flight school training proof of concept model and aircraft; an assessment of the risks and benefits of outsourcing Initial Entry Rotary Wing training requirements; total costs for the existing training ecosystem for Initial Entry Rotary Wing; and an identification of measures taken to mitigate costs and enhance training within the existing training ecosystem; the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees a report containing the results of such assessment and a detailed justification of how the findings from such assessment support proceeding with any such transformation; and the Secretary briefs the congressional defense committees on— the outcomes and findings of the training pilot specified in paragraph (1); an assessment of the cost-effectiveness and operational and training readiness resulting from the training pilot; any recommendations for future procurement or contracting activity related to training initiatives similar to the training pilot; and the course of action proposed by the Secretary relating to any such transformation.