The two confirmed bidders for Canada's long-running fixed-wing search and rescue requirement (FWSAR) are using the latest in a long line of delays to the process to hone their offers.
Ottawa has been attempting to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of six aged de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalos and 13 Lockheed Martin CC-130 Hercules since 2004, with the latest request for proposals issued in March this year.
Submissions were originally due by 28 September but, faced with a highly complex set of capability-based requirements contained in a document numbering over 4,000 pages, bidders were in some cases forced to make assumptions about what was required.
As a result, the nation's Public Works and Government Services Canada procurement body has extended the deadline to 11 January 2016.
So far, only Airbus Defence & Space and Alenia Aermacchi – along with their Canadian partners – have confirmed their participation in the FWSAR contest, offering the C295 and C-27J Spartan, respectively. However, Embraer and Lockheed Martin may also respond to the tender.
"I think this is actually a good thing because it will allow us to make sure the aircraft and mission system and so on are all able to move forward," says Steve Lucas, a strategic advisor to Alenia-led Team Spartan and former Canadian Forces chief of air staff.
"We consider ourselves in a much better position now to provide Canada with what it wants in the way of a solid bid."
Airbus Defence & Space
Lucas says the RFP stipulates that bidders must submit both three- and four-base solutions, with an option to also offer a fifth base, if needed, to meet the requirements.
"Alenia doesn't have that issue. Our submission is only the three- and four-base bids."
He declines to be drawn on the number of aircraft it has proposed, only noting that an earlier RFP called for 15 units. Alenia's bid is "plus or minus" that figure, he says.
Airbus, meanwhile, says it will be able to satisfy the requirements "using Canada’s existing basing structure". The RCAF's fixed-wing SAR fleet operates from four locations, with a fifth site providing rotary-wing cover.
Describing the C295 as a "proven, reliable and low-risk solution", Airbus says the deadline extension "means that Canada will be able to make the clearest choice and get the aircraft that it needs."
An initial down-select next year will be followed by flight and ground evaluations for the remaining bidders.
Airbus is partnered with Pratt & Whitney Canada, L-3 Wescam, CAE, Vector Aerospace, and Provincial Aerospace as its primary pattern. Team Spartan comprises General Dynamics Canada, IMP Aerospace, KF Aerospace, and CMC Esterline.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
