High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! On 4 November, 1952, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between United States Air Force Secretary Thomas K. Finletter and United States Army Secretary Frank Pace that removed the weight restrictions on helicopters that the U.S. Army could use. It also widened the range of tasks the Army`s helicopters could be used for. However, it also created an arbitrary 5,000 pounds weight restriction that limits the Army`s ability to fly fixed wing aircraft. As a result, the U.S. Army today is dependent upon the U.S. Air Force to purchase and man fixed wing ground-attack aircraft to fulfill close air support missions.