Blumenthal, DeLauro Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Request for Additional Black Hawks in President’s Budget

HARTFORD, CT (March 30, 2016) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), joined by the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation, led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the Senate and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittees and the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to request additional UH-60M Black Hawks in the President's Fiscal Year 2017 budget. The letter also encouraged consideration of the National Guard Association of the United States' request for additional UH-60M Black Hawks for the Army National Guard fleet.

The proposed FY 2017 Army Aviation budget includes a decrease of $2.3 billion from what was enacted in FY 2016, with a decrease in UH-60M production down to a total of 36 helicopters.

"Should funding become available for Army aviation as you craft your FY 2017 defense legislation, we ask for your support for additional funding for UH-60M helicopters to meet Army unfunded requirements, continue the modernization of the National Guard Black Hawk fleet, and take advantage of unit cost savings that benefit the Army and the taxpayers," the letter states.

Black Hawks are manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT.

The full letter, signed by 14 Senators and 21 Representatives, is here.