PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
Air 9000 programme requirement includes possible trade-in of army's S-70A-9s
Tenders for the Australian Department of Defence's Project Air 9000 helicopter rationalisation programme have been released with contenders to provide options for the supply of up to 48 new aircraft between 2006 and 2011.
The request for proposals (RFP) calls for options on the trade-in of Australia's 36 Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawks if the acquisition and strategic industry partnership requirements of the project result in a decision not to upgrade the aircraft and instead withdraw them from service.
The proposed strategic partnership contract is for a 20-year period, based on a single helicopter supplier working with the Australian DoD to rationalise existing Army and Royal Australian Navy rotary wing fleets to just four core types. However, the RFP also says the Australian DoD will reserve the right to acquire helicopter systems outside that framework if it chooses.
The baseline delivery schedule for a 48-aircraft deal would see four delivered before the end of 2006, eight by the end of 2007, ten in both 2008 and 2009, and four in 2011. The tender asks for data on cost impacts of delaying the acquisition cycle by a year, and options on any earlier delivery schedule proposed.
The RFP documentation details nine separate acquisition options ranging from the purchase of six to 48 aircraft plus support, and the possible trade-in of the S-70A-9s, to the purchase of 12 aircraft and upgrading the 36 S-70A-9s to the same standard as the new helicopters.
If full standardisation is not considered feasible or cost-effective, costs are sought against an upgrade for commonality of mechanical and avionics systems to the maximum extent practical and for refurbishment of the airframe to provide a life of type extension and to incorporate essential marinisation features.
The project is being competed for by Sikorsky, with Boeing Australia offering new-build and second-hand Black Hawks, and new-build S-92s. Eurocopter is teamed with Australian Aerospace and ADI and is offering NH-90s. AgustaWestland has teamed with BAE Systems Australia to bid EH101s and A129s.
Source: Flight International
