Release of tenders for the Australian Army’s rotary-wing flying training commercialisation project has been delayed by three months while a series of related military helicopter service and support competitions are prepared for launch by year-end.
The rotary-wing flying training service requirement has also been expanded to a full 10-year implementation phase running from 2007 to 2016.
That move also means the long- term replacement of the army’s Bell OH-58 Kiowa training is likely to shift from the previously announced target of 2015 out to 2017. The project office says government funding for the Kiowa replacement project now has the potential to slide to 2016.
The revised project timetable will now see tenders for the training contract released in the first quarter of 2006 rather than late this year, with responses due in the April-May timeframe. Selection of a preferred supplier is still planned for August-September 2006.
New helicopter service and support competitions planned to start before the end of this year include:
Kiowa engine repair and maintenance;
night-vision compatibility upgrades to the cockpit of Army Bell UH-1 helicopters;
acquisition of a new simulator for Royal Australian Navy Westland Sea King helicopters;
provision of Eurocopter Squirrel aircraft management and logistics support for the navy;
establishment of a standing offer supplier panel for navy Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk helicopter maintenance and repair.
In addition, a competition is to be launched by the middle of next year for in-service support for the proposed Air 9000 Phase 3 S-70B upgrade project, and for a Seahawk component and aircraft deeper maintenance service.
Government funding approval for initial design work on the Seahawk upgrade configuration is being targeted for approvals late in 2006, with fresh project guidance expected to be released in February as part of the 2006-16 Australian Defence Capability Plan.
Source: Flight International
