Electronic warfare and communications equipment contracts are also up for grabs
The United Arab Emirates air force is close to signing a deal to re-engine its Eurocopter Pumas as it continues to consider electronic warfare and other equipment for its Boeing AH-64A Apaches and a possible cockpit upgrade for its BAE Systems Hawk jet trainers.
Turbomeca is close to receiving a contract to re-engine 25 UAE air force Pumas with the Makila turboshaft used in the larger Eurocopter Super Puma. Pumasare powered by the 2,350kW (3,150shp) Turbomeca Turmo, and the Makila would give the twin- engined machine around 22% more power.
The UAE air force is retrofitting its Puma fleet with glass cockpits.
Meanwhile, the UAE is considering new equipment for its 30 Apaches.
The UAE has for some time been discussing the upgrade of the attack helicopters to AH-64D standard, and a possible acquisition of additional machines.
Boeing says it believes the air force will have selected the configuration for the upgrade by the end of next year. The electronic warfare (EW) suite, communications and other equipment are up for grabs.
A Lockheed Martin source says that the UAE has also been briefed on the new Arrowhead targeting and piloting forward looking infrared system.
The EW battle started earlier this year with the issue of a request for proposals issued to BAE Systems for HIDAS, which is in service on British Army Apaches; an Elettronica/Thales team, which provides EW for the UAE's Dassault Mirage 2000s; ITT which is developing SIRFC for US ArmyAH-64s; and Northrop Grumman, which is developing the electronic warfare system for the UAE/ Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 programme.
Industry sources suggest that the UAE is considering a glass cockpit upgrade for its 28 HawkMk 61/63s, which would give the aircraft a similar cockpit to the Hawk 100, which the air force also operates.
Source: Flight International
