Frontline formation is 38% below strength and amphibious sector even weaker at 87%
The UK Ministry of Defence is close to completing a wide-ranging study into its battlefield helicopter requirements for the next several decades, as a new National Audit Office (NAO) report has warned that a serious capability shortfall already facing the UK armed forces is set to continue until at least 2017-18.
While praising the progress of the UK's Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) since its formation in 1999, the report reveals that the command is 38%below strength for day-to-day operations, with this deficit increasing to 87% in the amphibious assault helicopter sector. AUK programme to acquire around 70 replacement support amphibious and battlefield rotorcraft is expected to receive delayed initial gate approval within the next few months, but will not deliver frontline capability until early next decade.
The JHC, which had a force strength of 357 aircraft in April 2003,assembled 77 helicopters to support UK activities during last year's Operation Iraqi Freedom, but its ability to deploy Westland Lynx support aircraft was hit by a shortage of sand filters. Aircrew currency on the type also dipped alarmingly after the conflict, says the NAO. The MoD has also delayed by several months a main gate decision to proceed with the battlefield light utility helicopter programme to remanufacture the army's Lynx fleet.
The MoD is expected within the next two months to complete an assessment into its future helicopter needs. It is also considering the early retirement of such platforms as the Westland/Aerospatiale SA330 Puma and SA341 Gazelle.
The NAO also threw new light on the MoD's flawed procurement of eight Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC3 extended-range transport helicopters, which are restricted to flying only above 500ft (150m) in clear weather conditions. The MoD remains unable to verify the safety of the aircraft's "hybrid" digital avionics suite, and is reviewing its options in fixing the fault or disposing of the aircraft.
It could install secondary analogue flight instruments, increasing the programme's cost to almost £400 million ($730 million). This would lead to the delivery of a downgraded HC3 capability by mid-2007; nine years late. The report also called for the MoD to increase investment in aircraft communications and self-protection equipment, speed the availability of a deployable combat search and rescue capability, and consider the use of non-commissioned officer pilots.
CRAIG HOYLE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
