The Northrop Grumman-EADS North America team bidding for a huge US Air Force helicopter order has abruptly withdrawn from the competition.
The team's NH90-based proposal was a late entry in the Personnel Recovery Vehicle (PRV) competition last summer, challenging proposals from the Lockheed Martin/AgustaWestland/Bell Helicopter US101 and the Sikorsky S-92.
In announcing the NH90 proposal, both companies emphasised Northrop Grumman's network integration skills as a key strength in the competition. However, the team has since "determined that some aspects of our offer would not meet their needs", EADS says, but did not answer a request to elaborate. EADS adds that the team will continue monitoring the PRV requirements. The USAF also has a follow-on requirement for dozens of helicopters to replace Bell UH-1Ns serving in a utility role for the service's missile launch sites.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
