The Brazilian air force was expected to issue a request for proposals for heavylift helicopters on 30 April. The CH-X programme has a 245 million real ($110 million) budget for four helicopters to support the SIVAM Amazon protection programme, which includes a number of air-transportable surveillance radars. The three contenders are the Boeing CH-47SD Chinook, Mil Mi-26 and Sikorsky S-80/CH-53. It is understood that the helicopters must be reconfigurable to a combat search-and-rescue role. A selection is expected in the third quarter of this year.
Source: Flight International
