Paul Derby/DUBAI
Bell/Agusta is offering a wet lease option to the US Marine Corps and US Air Force as a means of funding any future acquisition of BA609 tiltrotors.
The move is just one option being put forward by Bell/Agusta as it seeks to capitalise on a potentially lucrative market for the aircraft as a training vehicle for the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey military tiltrotor.
The USMC and USAF would effectively enjoy a 'pay as you fly' pricing plan allowing the deal to be financed from operational funding rather than as an outright acquisition.
At present no funds have been allocated for a V-22 trainer but the Marine Corps is drafting a mission needs statement as the first step towards a joint programme with the USAF.
The V-22 is due to enter service with the USMC in 2001 and the CV-22 special operations variant will be delivered to the USAF from 2004.
"We're talking to them all the time," says Bell/Agusta vice-president Jeff Pino, "and the wet lease idea is one way forward. We're prepared to consider anything that will help meet the requirement."
Modification
The only fundamental modification to the civil model would be the installation of a military style power control lever for flight control commonality with the V-22.
Meanwhile, the US Coastguard is evaluating the 609 for its deepwater re-equipment programme and Bell/Agusta says it has built in production slots in case that or the trainer requirement come to fruition.
The first three years of 609 production are sold out, with Bell/Agusta no longer taking priced orders. Deliveries of the first civil aircraft are due to start in 2002, with 80 confirmed orders to date.
Source: Flight Daily News
