Bell/Agusta is close to securing a lucrative order for the AB139 helicopter, after the aircraft was selected as part of the winning bid for an $11 billion contract to re-equip the US Coast Guard.
The vast contract, which includes the supply of 34 new helicopters, was awarded to a Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team, in a 20-year deal under the USCG's Deepwater programme.
Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS), a 50:50 partnership between Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, will supply up to 91 ships, 35 fixed-wing aircraft and 76 unmanned vehicles in addition to the 34 new helicopters. The contract also calls for the upgrade of 49 of the coastguard's cutters and 93 helicopters.
The selection of the AB139, on static display, as the preferred aircraft by ICGS is a major boost for Bell/Agusta but the decision is still open to challenge because of the nature of the ICGS ‘open business model', which means that 80% of the programme is still open to competition. The AB139 would be the future VRS (Vertical take–off and landing recovery and surveillance aircraft).
Competitive
Eurocopter will also be invited to bid, and because the replacement of the service's Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphins will not begin until 12 years into the programme, the Bell/Agusta BA609 tilt–rotor might also be considered. The initial phase of the contract covers five years and the total value over a 30-year period for ICGS is estimated at $30bn.
Bell/Agusta says its AB139 concept is designed for missions including search and rescue, maritime emergency response, anti–drug patrols, illegal immigrant interdiction and fisheries enforcement.
AgustaWestland landed a USCG contract in 2000 for the supply of eight Agusta A109 Powers for the service's Hitron Ten programme. "We believe the selection of our aircraft for these programmes provides further testimony of the company's competitiveness and technological skills," the company says.
ICGS is also committed to upgrade the coast guard's Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawks, which will remain in service, as will at least six of the service's Lockheed Martin HC-130 Hercules
Source: Flight Daily News
