PAE Maneuver Air – The new home of the Black Hawk Helicopter

Alaska Army National Guard in a UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter

Recently the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA (ALT)) reorganized procurement processes by consolidating Program Executive Offices (PEOs) and transitioned to a new system where Capability is front and center.

In this new system Capability Program Executives (CPEs) operate under Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs).  This restructuring replaces current Program Executive Offices (PEOs) with a structure that aligns programs under broader capability portfolios ensuring resources, priorities and outcomes are better synchronized across the Army’s modernization efforts.  The reorganization puts increased focus on capabilities rather than on individual programs. Portfolio Acquisition Executives will own a comprehensive “Capability Area” aligned to the emerging Army Warfighting Concept.

There are six (6) Portfolio Acquisition Executive organizations:

  • PAE Agile Sustainment and Ammo
  • PAE Command and Control and Counter Command and Control
  • PAE Fires
  • PAE Layered Protection and CBRND
  • PAE Maneuver Air
  • PAE Maneuver Ground

All Portfolio Acquisition Executives report to both ASA(ALT) & T2COM

PAE Acquisition professionals will play a direct role in shaping outcomes, rather than navigating layers of approvals.  This means clearer responsibilities, quicker coordination and a culture that prioritizes getting needed capabilities into Soldiers’ hands without being slowed by unnecessary procedural steps.

PAE Maneuver Air consolidated both PEO Aviation and Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) into one group. This reorganization helps to streamline processes and consolidate oversight under this newly created portfolio. 

The PAE Maneuver Air team manages both CPE Aviation and CPE Special Programs Air

Capability Program Executive (CPE) for Aviation is Rodney Davis.  The mission of this office is to design, develop, deliver, and support advanced aviation capabilities for our warfighters and allies.   

There are eight (8) CPE Aviation Project Offices:

  • Apache Helicopters
  • Cargo Helicopters
  • Utility Helicopters
  • Aviation Mission Systems & Architecture
  • Aviation Turbine Engines
  • Fixed Wing
  • Future Long Range Assault Aircraft
  • Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

The Sikorsky Black Hawk Helicopter managed through its Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO) formally under PEO Aviation is now PAE Maneuver Air.  The Army has plans to keep the UH-60M Helicopter in service well beyond 2050.

Sustainment of the BlackHawk Helicopter:

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is the leading procurement arm of ALL Armed Services posting 1000’s of solicitations every day.  If you are seeking solicitations such as UH-60 Helicopter spare parts, this is the place to find these government opportunities.

Specifically the DLA Aviation Huntsville, Depot Level Repairable (DLR) Procurement Operations office buys these types of items.  This office is located at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville Alabama.  Regarding Helicopters, DLA Aviation’s forward presence teams are also found at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama.

AMCOM is the Army’s lead organization for aviation sustainment maintenance, providing support for all aviation platforms. PAE Maneuver Air is in partnership with AMCOM. 

In addition to the Army the Sikorsky BlackHawk helicopter is also used by multiple agencies such as the Customs and Border Protection and Army National Guard.

DoD 101 – Department of Defense (DoD) Acronyms

As there are 1000’s of Acronyms used within the DoD this section defines a few Acronyms used within this article.

Program Executive Officer (PEO)

Definition: A military or civilian official assigned program responsibilities for Acquisition Category (ACAT) I and sensitive classified programs, or for any other program determined by the Component Acquisition Executive (CAE) to require dedicated executive management.

Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs)

A team of subject matter experts with authority to direct program outcomes, move money, and quickly adjust system features to deliver on time and under budget.

Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) – T2COM redefines how the Army generates, develops, and designs its forces to ensure readiness at the speed of relevance, enabling the integration and synchronization of force generation, force development and force design to transform how the Army brings together technology and doctrine at speed.

Assistant Secretary of Army, Acquisition Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) – Acquisition and materiel development The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) is basically the top of the Organizational Chart as it relates to the reporting the Army Commands (ACOM): U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) and U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) report direct to (ASA(ALT))

Capability Program Executives (CPEs) are part of a restructured approach within the U.S. Army aimed at enhancing the acquisition and delivery of military capabilities, focusing on a capability-centric model rather than a program-centric one.

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