Lockheed Martin is eyeing an Indian request for proposals (RFP) for around 75 naval multi-role helicopters (NMRH) that is expected to be released late summer. The new rotorcraft would complement the Indian navy’s existing fleet of Westland Sea King 42 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters.
Lockheed would bid the MH-60R “Romeo,” the Sikorsky-built helicopter that it modifies extensively for service with the U.S. Navy. The Eurocopter NH-90 is another possible contender.
The U.S. Navy’s latest attempt to replace the aging Presidential helicopter fleet has been delayed. The Pentagon rejected an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the VXX program because no “cost-effective” solution was identified, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Bond Aviation Group signed a contract to purchase 16 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters at Heli-Expo 2012, the largest single order for S-92s ever recorded. Sikorsky will begin delivering the aircraft in groups of four-to-five a year starting in the second quarter of 2013.
Carey Bond, chief marketing officer for Sikorsky, welcomed the Bond (no relation) aviation group to the Sikorsky family with a celebratory contract signing and a toast at the Sikorsky exhibit booth (No. 6148).
By the time that Heli-Expo ends tomorrow, AgustaWestland expects to sign agreements at the show for more than 100 helicopters worth more than $923 million. Some of the deals are still in their early stages, but the outlook is certainly positive, company officials told AIN.
AgustaWestland is having a good show. How good? By the time the show ends, the Anglo-Italian OEM said yesterday it expects to have signed agreements here for more than 100 helicopters with a total value of more than $923 million. Some of the deals are still in their early stages, but the outlook is certainly positive.
On Saturday, the day before the show opened, AgustaWestland announced an order from Lease Corporation International valued at $380 million (including options) for a mix of AW139s, AW169s and AW189s.
The U.S. Air Force will invite bids for two major helicopter requirements, the service confirmed.
The “HH-60 Recapitalization” is the new name for the ill-fated combat search and rescue (CSAR-X) competition, which was abandoned in 2009, three years after the Boeing HH-47 Chinook was first declared the winner.
Boeing's controversial embrace of the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter for the revived U.S. presidential helicopter requirement could lead to more partnerships with AgustaWestland parent company Finmeccanica. Dennis Muilenberg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said that C4ISR-cyber security, information technology and services-are other areas of potential collaboration.
Yesterday, Boeing licensed the rights to AgustaWestland’s AW101 for the purpose of entering it in the latest U.S. presidential helicopter competition, known as VXX. Under the deal, Boeing will have full data, intellectual property and production rights for the three-engine, medium-lift helicopter.
AgustaWestland (AW) is still in the hunt for the U.S. VXX Presidential helicopter replacement program, commonly known as Marine One. “I can confirm we will be competing for the VXX program. We strongly believe the [AW-] 101 is the best helicopter to meet this requirement,” an AW spokesman told AIN. The chairman of AW’s parent company, Finmeccanica, suggested that AW was in talks with Boeing and L-3 to partner on the contract.
Lockheed Martin is partnering with Sikorsky to promote the latter’s H-92 medium-lift helicopter for the new VXX presidential transport mission. Last year the Pentagon canceled the VH-71 presidential helicopter replacement program after spending $3.3 billion for the first nine AgustaWestland AW101s that were slated to be integrated and completed by Lockheed Martin.
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