Northrop Grumman has teamed with EADS North America to compete for the US Air Force's Personnel Recovery Vehicle (PRV) programme, while touting its own background in battle management technology as a key theme of its campaign.
Both companies have been seeking a partner to fill separate roles. Northrop Grumman will provide integration and battle management experience that it considers a must for future combat search-and-rescue missions. EADS North America is expected to confirm its offer of NH Industries' NH90 during this month's US Air Force Association convention, but needed to partner a US prime.
The USAF plans to launch the competition next January, less than 12 months after opening a programme office to support the rapid development programme for 132 aircraft. The baseline schedule calls for initial fielding in 2014, but the service is hoping to accelerate that timeline by four years or more.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
