In a significant development for military aviation training, Robinson Helicopter Company has officially proposed its R66 Turbine Helicopter to the United States Army as a new primary trainer aircraft. The announcement was made during the 2025 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit (Quad-A) held in Nashville, Tennessee.
With a proven track record and more than 1,500 R66 helicopters in operation worldwide, Robinson is positioning the aircraft as a cost-effective, reliable, and American-made solution to modernize the Army’s pilot training program.
“The R66 is engineered for real-world training—simple, durable, and responsive. It develops true pilot skill from day one,” said David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “It’s an ideal fit for foundational military flight training.”
Why the R66?
The U.S. Army currently uses the Airbus UH-72A Lakota for training purposes. However, feedback from within the service indicates that the Lakota’s advanced automation may be too sophisticated for initial flight training, leaving gaps in core pilot skills.
Robinson’s R66 addresses this gap with:
- Simplified flight controls ideal for basic instruction
- Garmin G500H TXi and GTN750 avionics suite
- Integrated 4K cockpit recording for post-flight debriefs
- Instructor-friendly cyclic design for better control during training
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
Built in America. Backed by Experience.
Over 85% of R66 components are manufactured in Robinson’s Torrance, California facility, ensuring full control over quality and consistent parts availability—key factors in military procurement.
The R66 is already in use by the Nigerian Air Force for pilot training and is actively flown by various U.S. law enforcement agencies for tactical training programs. Additionally, Robinson is partnered with M1 Support Services for the “Flight School Next” initiative—further reinforcing its role in defense-sector training.
As the U.S. Army explores future-ready and economically viable training platforms, the Robinson R66 emerges as a strong contender, promising to deliver practical skills, budget efficiency, and long-term operational readiness.
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