An independent review of the US Marine Corps’ Bell AH-1Z/UH-1Y upgrade programme is under way amid concern over production delays and escalating costs. The review of a proposed restructuring is to be completed this month in time for a Defence Acquisition Board decision on whether to award the third low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract in April as planned.
“This is a critical juncture for Bell, which is having significant production issues,” the US Navy says. Bell has yet to deliver any of the 16 AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys being remanufactured under the first two LRIP contracts. As a result, operational evaluation (Opeval) will begin in April using four development aircraft, with two to be delivered this month. The company acknowledges it has run into unanticipated problems rebuilding the helicopters, including corrosion and fit issues, and says: “We’re late.”
The USMC has already revised plans to remanufacture 100 UH-1Ns, and will now rework 10 and build 90 new UH-1Y airframes, and is revisiting plans to rebuild all 180 AH-1Zs. “We anticipate some number of AH-1Z airframes to be newly fabricated instead of remanufactured in order to reduce the amount of time aircraft would otherwise be out of service,” US Navy programme executive officer Thomas Laux has told Congress.
Restructuring will also address deficiencies expected to be carried forward from Opeval, including a shortfall of “a couple of knots” in the AH-1Z’s cruise speed.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International