August 10, 2021 – Representatives from both Kentucky and Tennessee state government presented resolutions supporting the Army’s goal of modernizing its aviation assets on Tuesday at the Clarksville Regional Airport.
Senator Bill Powers, who represents Tennessee’s 22nd District, and Representative Walker Thomas, who represents Kentucky’s 8th District presented the resolutions to both Major General Walter Rugen, Director of the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team, and Kelli Pendleton, President/CEO of the Campbell Strong Defense Alliance.
The presentation symbolized both state’s support of the Army’s initiatives which involves a futuristic family of aircraft developed for the Department of Defense to meet emerging threats that face the U.S. Several lawmakers from both states, as well as representatives from congressional offices, attended the event.
The Campbell Strong Defense Alliance is a non-profit organization that addresses all matters of military significance to ensure the region achieves its full economic potential. “The communities surrounding Fort Campbell want to do our part to support the Army’s efforts,” said Jim Durrett, Chair of the Campbell Strong Board of Directors. “Being located next to some of the Army’s best fighting forces, we understand all too well the role our Army plays in protecting our nation. We want to ensure that we are supporting any efforts to give them the tools that they need to face future threats”.
General Rugen’s team, which is located at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is currently focused on efforts that include the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, Modular Open System Architecture and Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program is a research and development effort dedicated to discovering, investigating, and refining the technologies that is to provide the next generation of vertical lift aircraft for the United States Armed Forces. According to the Army, the goal of the program is to develop technologies that improve “maneuverability, range, speed, payload, survivability, reliability, and reduced logistical footprint” compared with current rotorcraft.