CANADA IS EXPECTED to release a request for proposals for 32-35 naval helicopters soon after announcing the selection of a new search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopter in September or October.
The choice of machine to meet the 15-aircraft Canadian SAR Helicopter (CSH) requirement is expected to influence the Canadian Forces' approach to its Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP).
Two of the four bidders for the CSH contract say that they plan to offer the same basic helicopter in the MHP contest. Agusta/GKNWestland have offered the EHIndustries EH101-based Cormorant for both requirements, and Eurocopter is staying with the AS322 Cougar Mk2. Boeing has no plans to bid for the MHP contract, while Sikorsky's CSH contender, the UH-60-based Maplehawk, is a member of the same family as its most likely MHP offering, theSH-60 Seahawk.
Evaluation of the CSH bids will be independent of the follow-on MHP requirement, as will assessment of the industrial and regional benefits (IRB) offered by the four contenders. Most bidders expect, however, that selection of either the Cormorant or the Cougar for the CSH requirement would result in the chosen helicopter being picked for the MHP.
Boeing is pushing this as an advantage, saying that selection of its CH-47 Chinook offered for the CSH programme would allow Canada to conduct a meaningful competition for the MHP contract. The company cannot provide 15 SAR helicopters within the stated $600 million CSHbudget, but is offering IRB totalling 140% of the value of its bid.
Eurocopter says that its CSH bid is well within the budget available, and its offer of 120% IRB includes final assembly of the Cougars at IMP in Halifax, and assembly of AS350/355, EC120 and EC135 helicopters for the North American market at Eurocopter Canada at Fort Erie, Ontario.
The EHIndustries partners say that their IRB offer "exceeds 100%", and includes parts manufacture by Bristol Aerospace and logistic support by Bombardier and Canadian Helicopter. The aircraft offered for the CSH requirement is based on the civil EH101.
Source: Flight International
