Vertical Lift Consortium

The Department of Defense has acknowledged the value of rotorcraft while at the same time recognizing that past investment levels have been inadequate. With the growing need to advance military helicopters and better provide for future needs, the DoD and Industry initiated the formation of the Vertical Lift Consortium as part of an initiative to improve the long-term state of the military vertical lift aircraft and the vertical lift sector of industry.

Q: Who makes up the membership in the VLC?

A: The consortium is comprised of manufacturers, academia, suppliers and others involved in the Vertical Lift industry with a common goal of providing for long-term advancements in the Vertical Lift sector.

Q: What's the value for the DoD?

A: The Consortium provides the DoD a single resource to leverage the best approach and technological solution to meet future vertical lift needs.

Q: How will this meet the needs of warfighters?

A: The open consortium utilizing traditional rotor wing industry members, academia, and non-tradition contractors provides the opportunity to apply efficient, long-term technological solutions to the needs of the warfighter today and well into the future. It also provides the opportunity to increase the S&T funds available to develop cutting edge technologies.

Q: How will this benefit industry?

A: The U.S. vertical lift industry has faced many challenges over the last two decades. Service priorities, inadequate science and technology (S&T) and development funding, execution issues and requirements creep have all led to an industry that is surviving to a large extent on modification programs.

We believe in our ability to produce quality products, in a timely manner, and at a reasonable cost. We strongly feel that through the Vertical Lift Consortium the industry will be provided increased opportunities for enhanced communication throughout the DoD. This dialogue with the Government will provide an appropriate forum though which the warfighter needs can best be met.