EADS Casa's long-awaited order for the first of 35 CN235ER Persuaders as part of the US Coast Guard's Deepwater programme has progressed with the US Congress earmarking $147 million for the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The money, however, is less than sought and continuing internal studies could delay contract finalisation until the third quarter.
Funding was earmarked for the MPA within the USCG's recently approved 2003 budget, as the result of last-minute political manoeuvring, but it falls short of the planned $213 million needed to order the first six aircraft. EADS Casa, nonetheless, is buoyed by the allocation, having been waiting since July last year for an order.
"My belief is this specific appropriation goes some way to putting this deal to bed," says Ralph Crosby, EADS North America chairman.
The CN235ER, equipped with EADS Casa's Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS), was selected by the Lockheed Martin/ Northrop Grumman Integrated Coast Guard Systems consortium as part of its winning Deepwater bid. But the USCG has been slow to sign off on the system because of internal studies comparing it to the Alenia/ Lockheed Martin C-27J and larger Lockheed Martin C-130J, which is now entering service.
C-27J proponents had been hoping that any further delay would open the door to new competition, but Lockheed Martin is concentrating on its role as Deepwater prime contractor and has distanced itself from the Italian aircraft. "The CN235 remains the choice of the ICGS," says the consortium.
The poor state of US relations with France and Germany means the European consortium is emphasising the fact that the CN235 and FITS are Spanish products in an effort to leverage Madrid's support for Washington DC during the Iraq crisis.
Source: Flight International
