WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Army announced their decision to move forward with one phase of the highly showcased Future Vertical Lift program.

“I have supported Future Vertical Lift from the very beginning and I’m proud to join the Army and their industry partners in celebrating this important step for a program so critical to our national defense. The Army’s decision to select Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing for continued development in Capability Set 3 means our soldiers will have the top-notch aircraft they need to counter threats from Russia and China for decades to come.

“Bell’s selection is especially important to North Texas. The North Texas aviation workforce is uniquely positioned and qualified to provide the Army with the industrial partnership necessary to ensure that Future Vertical Lift is successful. Our aviation workforce is highly skilled and ready to handle the production, assembly, and advanced research and development needed to make these new rotorcrafts a reality. Additionally, I expect the Army to make another announcement for Capability Set 1 soon that will further look to support additional local partners such as AVX who are also making great strides in Army modernization.

“As the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to ensure the Future Vertical Lift program is moving quickly to answer our nation’s modernization needs. I’m proud to support our industry partners like Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing in their work on the Future Vertical Lift program, the Army’s next great defense aviation modernization effort.”