Faced with a bow-wave of major pending procurements and a budget shortfall caused by combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the UK Ministry of Defence is studying whether it can defer the acquisition of new battlefield helicopters by up to a decade by extending the lives of two of its oldest current types, writes Craig Hoyle.
New details have emerged of a 12-month assessment to be conducted by EADS subsidiary Eurocopter into continuing operations of the Royal Air Force's Puma HC1s from their planned out-of-service date in 2010 until 2022. If practicable, the Puma life-extension effort would lead to the aircraft receiving new engines, avionics, and navigation, communication and countermeasures equipment under a programme to be worth over £400 million ($785 million).
The enhancements "will address obsolescence and enable the aircraft to continue to operate effectively in a battlefield environment", says a requirements summary issued by the UK Defence Logistics Organisation. The MoD will also study making similar enhancements to its Westland Sea King HC4 commando assault helicopters, under a separate assessment to be conducted by AgustaWestland.
If implemented, the Puma and Sea King life-extension efforts could come at the expense of other initiatives intended to boost the UK's battlefield helicopter fleet. These include a proposed joint lease agreement with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the acquisition of AgustaWestland EH101 Joint Supporters from Denmark or surplus Pumas from the Portuguese air force (Flight International, 30 January - 5 February). The move could also scupper plans to upgrade the RAF's current EH101 transports to a proposed HC3A standard.
Source: Flight International
