The US military is considering leasing civil helicopter services as a substitute for procuring new military rotorcraft.
The US Navy's Military Sealift Command plans to launch a competition in fiscal year 1998 for commercially-operated vertical replenishment (VERTREP) of its warships. The contract is designed to meet a projected shortfall of USN Boeing Helicopters CH-46 helicopters, which are now used for VERTREP.
The USAF recently disclosed that it is considering lease of civil helicopters and crew to replace its fleet of 64 ageing Bell Helicopter UH-1Ns, which are now being used for ballistic-missile-silo support activities.
The decision to proceed with a long-term VERTREP contract follows three successful demonstrations involving civil rotorcraft. Two of the three involved Kaman Aerospace's K-MAX helicopter, and the third, which is still ongoing, involves a Bell Helicopter 212 and 214ST operated by Evergreen Helicopters.
Source: Flight International
