Army Reduces Helicopter Funding and Expands Drone Procurement in Fiscal 2027 Budget

Army leaders announced Wednesday that the fiscal year 2027 budget request cuts funding for Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters while increasing spending on drones and low-cost systems. The changes follow battlefield observations from Ukraine and the Middle East.

The proposed reductions lower Apache procurement funding from roughly $361.7 million to about $1.5 million, Black Hawk funding from about $913 million to roughly $39.3 million, and Chinook funding from roughly $629 million to about $210 million. The service also plans to cut roughly 6,500 active-duty aviation positions over fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Secretary Brent Ingraham said the Army is reassessing how traditional manned aircraft fit alongside larger unmanned systems. He stated that the service does not want to continue using a Patriot missile to shoot down a cheap drone and must get on the right side of the cost curve.

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said the service is attempting to overhaul acquisition practices that have led to bad outcomes over the last 30 years. He added that the Army had lost Congress’s trust over that period regarding its ability to complete big new projects on time and on budget.

During a May 12 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sen. , noted that the budget request included zero H-64 Apaches, zero Chinook Block IIs, and one UH-60 Black Hawk. Rep. , pressed War Secretary Pete Hegseth during a May 12 House Appropriations hearing about the impact on the aviation industrial base.

Hegseth acknowledged that some elements of the Army Transformation Initiative require further review. Officials also described a new allied drone and counter-drone procurement marketplace expected to become available to roughly 25 U.S. allies and partners.

The Army is launching a rapid competition to develop low-cost interceptors designed to counter drones and cruise missiles. Companies will have roughly 120 days after an upcoming industry event to demonstrate technologies ranging from rocket motors and seekers to fully integrated interceptor concepts.