Boeing Air Force Systems is to join the Sikorsky-led bid for the US Air Force's personnel recovery vehicle (PRV) competition, the manufacturer announced at Paris yesterday.
Boeing will provide mission systems integration for the team, which is basing its solution on the HH-92 military helicopter.
Sikorsky says Boeing will bring class-leading expertise in designing, developing and integrating complex mission systems across a variety of platforms.
"What we understand is that PRV is actually about delivering a system - a solution that works, rather than just an aircraft platform," says Paul Martin, Sikorsky senior vice-president of government and advanced development programmes.
"We are basing our solution on the ability to deliver not just the highest technology aircraft, which is what we have with the HH-92, but also to be able to integrate all the technology to give the customer the network-centric capability that is vital to the mission."
Martin says Sikorsky will finalise its team, which already includes Rockwell Collins and GE, once the full request for proposals (RFP) is issued in July.
Excitement
In the meantime, Martin says there is excitement about the addition of Boeing and the programme in general: "We are proud to have Boeing Air Force Systems as our exclusive partner.
"We knew we didn't have to make this selection right away, but we're very pleased to be working with Boeing."
The baseline aircraft for the PRV competition will be similar to the machine which was successful in the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Programme.
"This programme needs a rugged aircraft that can cope with tough operating environments and can be deployed globally," says Martin.
"We're building flying hours on the aircraft very quickly.
"The elements that make it safe for the civil market translate in military terms into improved survivability, greater reliability and an aircraft that is less vulnerable.
"The cost of ownership will also be low."
The air force's requirement calls for five test helicopters and up to 141 production aircraft, split into two lots, Block 0 and Block 10. The Block 0 aircraft will be fielded 18-24 months after an expected contract award date of March 2006.
Martin says the large number of potential candidates for the programme shows that each aircraft has plus points and minus points. "Having said that, when we look at the detailed requirements and how we stack up, we're very positive about the HH-92."
Boeing will provide mission systems integration for the team, which is basing its solution on the HH-92 military helicopter.
Sikorsky says Boeing will bring class-leading expertise in designing, developing and integrating complex mission systems across a variety of platforms.
"What we understand is that PRV is actually about delivering a system - a solution that works, rather than just an aircraft platform," says Paul Martin, Sikorsky senior vice-president of government and advanced development programmes.
"We are basing our solution on the ability to deliver not just the highest technology aircraft, which is what we have with the HH-92, but also to be able to integrate all the technology to give the customer the network-centric capability that is vital to the mission."
Martin says Sikorsky will finalise its team, which already includes Rockwell Collins and GE, once the full request for proposals (RFP) is issued in July.
Excitement
In the meantime, Martin says there is excitement about the addition of Boeing and the programme in general: "We are proud to have Boeing Air Force Systems as our exclusive partner.
"We knew we didn't have to make this selection right away, but we're very pleased to be working with Boeing."
The baseline aircraft for the PRV competition will be similar to the machine which was successful in the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Programme.
"This programme needs a rugged aircraft that can cope with tough operating environments and can be deployed globally," says Martin.
"We're building flying hours on the aircraft very quickly.
"The elements that make it safe for the civil market translate in military terms into improved survivability, greater reliability and an aircraft that is less vulnerable.
"The cost of ownership will also be low."
The air force's requirement calls for five test helicopters and up to 141 production aircraft, split into two lots, Block 0 and Block 10. The Block 0 aircraft will be fielded 18-24 months after an expected contract award date of March 2006.
Martin says the large number of potential candidates for the programme shows that each aircraft has plus points and minus points. "Having said that, when we look at the detailed requirements and how we stack up, we're very positive about the HH-92."
Source: Flight Daily News
