Army alters flight protocols after deadly collision with passenger jet

In the aftermath of a tragic aviation incident that occurred several months ago, the Army has revised its helicopter operation policies across the United States, particularly focusing on the use of a critical safety system known as ADSB, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. The incident involved a collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. The changes were announced by General Matthew Braman, who is the head of Army aviation, and reflect an increased commitment to safety during flight operations. The Army has traditionally turned off the ADSB-out system during sensitive missions, such as transporting senior military leaders or conducting exercises where tactical information needs to be protected. However, as a result of the collision, the Army is now implementing measures to ensure that this safety system remains operational whenever possible, particularly when not flying to sensitive locations. Further, limited flights have been resumed for extremely high-level officials, with a strong emphasis on maintaining compliance with ADSB protocols unless absolutely necessary. Prior to the collision, the Army had been exempt from the requirement to broadcast ADSB-out data for certain operations, a situation stemming from August 2024 guidelines that allowed them to suppress this data during missions deemed sensitive. The collision raised concerns over the effectiveness of these policies, especially given indications that the helicopter’s ADSB-out was turned off at the time of the incident. Investigators have yet to confirm whether this played a direct role in the crash, but the Army acknowledges the need for enhanced safety measures to mitigate risks in similar future scenarios. In addition to the changes in ADSB policies, General Braman noted the future flight routes of Army helicopters, including the 12th Battalion's operations around major aviation hubs like Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. This area, known for heavy air traffic, necessitates close coordination with aviation authorities to prevent further tragedies. The Army's commitment to transparency and proactive change in flight operations underscores a growing understanding of the risks associated with military aviation in crowded airspace. Furthermore, even when the ADSB-out system is turned off during sensitive missions, the helicopter's transponder continues to operate, which provides vital information about the aircraft's location. While the FAA has highlighted that ADSB-out provides more precise data compared to standard transponder information, the Army has emphasized that complete situational awareness is still achievable with the current systems in use. In sum, this tragic event has prompted a reevaluation of existing aviation safety practices within the Army, with significant changes now guiding their operational protocols to enhance the safety and security of all air traffic, both military and civilian, in the future.