ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
But programme could be revived depending on how army defines KMH helicopter role
South Korea's AH-X attack helicopter development programme is once more threatened with cancellation as Seoul struggles to reconcile demands for more indigenous work with finance constraints.
The elimination of AH-X funding from the 2002 defence budget will be a setback for Boeing, which is having difficulty maintaining its F-15K bid in Seoul's delayed F-X fighter competition.
South Korean industry sources say the parliamentary defence committee is recommending AH-X funding be taken out of the budget - a proposal likely to be approved by parliament next month.
Boeing, offering the AH-64D Apache Longbow, Bell proposing the AH-1Z Cobra and Kamov with the Ka-52K had been hoping for a decision by year-end. The 36-helicopter contest has been shelved several times since initiation in the early 1990s, leaving the army with ageing Bell AH-1 Cobras.
There are indications that the AH-X could be resurrected by 2004, though this is likely to depend on how the South Korean army defines its new indigenous multi-purpose helicopter (KMH) requirement intended to replace Bell UH-1s and MD Helicopters MD500s.
While some elements of South Korean industry and the defence ministry are lobbying for the AH-X to be dropped in favour of the KMH, sources close to the discussions question whether the KMH can be developed without the AH-X offset programme.
Seoul recently raised the offset requirement for the AH-X to 50% from 30% under pressure from industry to boost the technology transfer required for the KMH (Flight International, 23-29 October).
The army envisages utility, scout and attack variants of the KMH, prompting some members of the Seoul administration to question the need for the AH-X. Also weighing against the AH-X is the apparent unwillingness of some politicians to publicly support the acquisition of offensive military equipment, such as attack helicopters, while attempts are made to improve relations with North Korea.
The KMH is likely to be twin-engined with a maximum operating weight of around 6.8t. Boeing had offered to help develop the indigenous helicopter in partnership with South Korean industry if it won AH-X. It is believed the US company has studied incorporating the Apache transmission system into the KMH.
Bell has studied a tilt-rotor solution as well as a militarised version of the 427 civil helicopter. The company is also working on a new helicopter known as the Phoenix which would be offered in utility and light attack/scout versions.
Source: Flight International
