Helicopter manufacturers are jostling for position as Australia studies a potential purchase of up to 48 aircraft under its Air 9000 rotorcraft rationalisation programme.
The Australian Department of Defence wants to work with a single supplier in a 20-year strategic partnership that would see the number of helicopter types in service reduced to just four. But the complexity and scale of the contract is already being questioned by defence analysts who feel it is overly-ambitious to tackle such a significant change to the fleet in one go.
The two-stage request for proposals covers the initial supply of between six and 48 aircraft to perform troop transport missions in Phase 2 and either the upgrade or replacement of in-service Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawks in Phase 4.
The list of contenders could be swelled to four if Lockheed Martin decides to proceed with a potential bid based on the Sikorsky MH-60R. Lockheed Martin was prime contractor for the US Navy's SH-60B/F to MH-60R programme.
Bidders
The three confirmed bidders are Eurocopter with the NH90, Sikorsky with a mixture of re-built S-70s and the S-92, plus AgustaWestland which is offering the EH101 and A109.
The project would cut the number of types in service by more than half. The Australian Defence Force will have nine types operational when the Kaman SH-2G(A) Super SeaSprite enters service later this year.
The programme has a number of political considerations, not least the Australian government's recent policy decision that interoperability with US forces during coalition operations will influence some future Australian acquisitions.
In-service date could also prove critical, because of the pressing need to have trooplift machines in the field before the end of 2006, if not sooner. This operational requirement will need to be balanced against the strategic intent to put in place a 20-year partnership.
AgustaWestland is teamed with BAE Systems Australia, while Sikorsky is working with Boeing Australia.
Source: Flight Daily News
