Two days after the field appeared to solidify, Lockheed Martin and MD Helicopters (MDHI) have dissolved an eight-week-old partnership to submit a joint bid for the US Army’s $1.3 billion Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) contract. Lockheed says the companies “mutually decided not to bid jointly on LUH”. MDHI plans to submit a solo proposal based on the MD 902 Explorer. Lockheed has no plans to rejoin the competition with another aircraft.
Meanwhile, following the disqualification of the Bell 210, two new transatlantic industry teams have formed to enter the contest.
EADS North America is partnering Sikorsky to offer the EC145, renamed the UH-145, for the 322-aircraft order. American Eurocopter is to perform final assembly in Texas, while Sikorsky will provide logistics support.
AgustaWestland has dropped plans to offer the A109 or A119 and has signed with L-3 Communications to jointly offer the larger Bell/Agusta AB139. AgustaWestland North America president Steve Moss says the AB139 is on the “light side of the medium-helicopter range”. Although Bell owns a 25% stake in the AB139, Bell executives do not expect to receive payment if the army chooses the aircraft. The joint venture agreement allows either party to sell the aircraft without the other’s participation. For its part, Bell has made public plans to drop a proposal based on the 210 – once considered favourite for the LUH – and is submitting a bid based on the 412EP medium twin.
Source: Flight International
