ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
US manufacturer dangles dual bait in effort to extend service lives of army machines
Bell is redoubling efforts to secure South Korean army interest in upgrades for AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1H utility machines. The move follows the postponement of South Korea's AH-X attack helicopter requirement.
Meanwhile, the defence ministry has delayed by two weeks the selection of a prime contractor to lead development of the Korean multipurpose helicopter (KMH).
Bell has made an unsolicited proposal to the army offering to replace the AH-1's dynamic system with that of its 412 civil helicopter and re-engine the aircraft with the General Electric T700. The UH-1H's dynamic system could be replaced with that of the Bell 212.
The army is increasingly interested in service life extension programmes for its helicopters, with the AH-X postponement and KMH development just starting, say industry sources. About 75 AH-1s are operated by the South Korean armed forces, alongside 150 UH-1s.
The proposed upgrades would improve the payload capabilities of both types and extend minimum time between overhauls. The US Army intends to stop support for the AH-1, so switching to a 412 dynamic system would enable South Korea to source commercial parts instead.
The army is also understood to be discussing avionics upgrades for the Cobras with vendors, including Boeing, Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
Funding is a potential stumbling block due to the cost of the air force's F-X fighter programme. Cash for helicopter upgrades is not included in the defence budget.
The indigenous KMH project will be led by Korea Aerospace Industries or state-controlled research and technology agency ADD. A request for proposals is expected to be issued to potential foreign industrial partners soon after the selection. Recipients may include AgustaWestland, Bell, Boeing, Eurocopter and Sikorsky.
About 400 KMHs are required to replace MD Helicopter MD500s and UH-1Hs. The KMH could be the basis for a Cobra replacement.
Source: Flight International
