Augusta Westland bid to replace Marine 1
three engined (the only contender that is)
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TOTD,
An S-61T on two engines is better than an S92 on two engines; or at least thats what the Yanks themselves think.
I don't fly them but as a mender who sometimes flys I can say I would rather have more engines than less, and it doesn't have to be better on two engines; just as good as!
New S-61T Helos for the US Government
Cheers now
An S-61T on two engines is better than an S92 on two engines; or at least thats what the Yanks themselves think.
I don't fly them but as a mender who sometimes flys I can say I would rather have more engines than less, and it doesn't have to be better on two engines; just as good as!
New S-61T Helos for the US Government
Cheers now
Last edited by oldgrubber; 29th Nov 2012 at 20:09.
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Note that when you get into the article you find out that these are not new airframes, but old ones that have been reworked and outfitted with "glass cockpits", new engines, and so on.
Also note that these are for ferrying diplomats around 3rd-world hell-holes and such... and therefore are expendable.
In other words, a cheap* option so they don't have to evacuate another congressman from a country erupting in a "civil war" using a mercenary company's whirlybird!
* For what they are spending on "up to 110" Sea Kings refurbished to S-61T configuration, they probably could only buy 20-30 new S-92s!
Also note that these are for ferrying diplomats around 3rd-world hell-holes and such... and therefore are expendable.
In other words, a cheap* option so they don't have to evacuate another congressman from a country erupting in a "civil war" using a mercenary company's whirlybird!
The helicopter that spirited Rep. Alan Grayson [fmr. D-FL] out of Niger during the 2010 coup was flown by Blackwater/Xe’s Presidential Airways.
* For what they are spending on "up to 110" Sea Kings refurbished to S-61T configuration, they probably could only buy 20-30 new S-92s!
Last edited by GreenKnight121; 30th Nov 2012 at 05:33.
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Has the AW bid been cancelled ?
Only One Bidder For New US Presidential Helo? | Defense News | defensenews.com-
Only One Bidder For New US Presidential Helo? | Defense News | defensenews.com-
Last edited by Bannock; 1st Aug 2013 at 12:55.
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Well, the text of the article you linked answers your question.
Italy’s AgustaWestland, partnered with Northrop Grumman, had planned to offer a US-built version of its AW101 helicopter. While the effort seemed to be moving ahead, the company decided a few weeks ago to end its bid before submitting an offer.Reported first in Sunday’s New York Times, AgustaWestland issued a terse statement.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, we determined we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP. There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.
“The decision to withdraw was most difficult, as we believe we have the best, most capable aircraft for the president and the one selected in the prior competition. Fair and meaningful competition for major US government programs is absolutely essential to providing the most capable products for an affordable price.”
Agusta’s US partner, Northrop Grumman, declined to elaborate.
“As a team with AgustaWestland, we opted not to participate in the VXX program,” Northrop spokesman Randy Belote said, deferring further comment to Agusta.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, we determined we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP. There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.
“The decision to withdraw was most difficult, as we believe we have the best, most capable aircraft for the president and the one selected in the prior competition. Fair and meaningful competition for major US government programs is absolutely essential to providing the most capable products for an affordable price.”
Agusta’s US partner, Northrop Grumman, declined to elaborate.
“As a team with AgustaWestland, we opted not to participate in the VXX program,” Northrop spokesman Randy Belote said, deferring further comment to Agusta.
Boeing also admitted it was ending its effort to offer versions of its H-47 Chinook twin-rotor helicopter or the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
“The Boeing Company will not submit a bid for the US Navy’s VXX Presidential Helicopter program,” company spokesman Damien Mills said in a statement. “While both the Boeing H-47 Chinook and the Bell-Boeing V-22 are often used to transport military and government leaders in theaters of operation, we do not believe these aircraft would be competitive for this program as it is currently structured.”
The Navy declined to comment on the situation.
“Until the window closes for VXX proposals Aug. 1, the Department of the Navy does not know, and it is of no consequence — no consequence at all — to speculate what companies will submit bids,” Mueller said in a statement.
“The Boeing Company will not submit a bid for the US Navy’s VXX Presidential Helicopter program,” company spokesman Damien Mills said in a statement. “While both the Boeing H-47 Chinook and the Bell-Boeing V-22 are often used to transport military and government leaders in theaters of operation, we do not believe these aircraft would be competitive for this program as it is currently structured.”
The Navy declined to comment on the situation.
“Until the window closes for VXX proposals Aug. 1, the Department of the Navy does not know, and it is of no consequence — no consequence at all — to speculate what companies will submit bids,” Mueller said in a statement.
Last edited by GreenKnight121; 2nd Aug 2013 at 01:00.
A chairman of Rolls Royce long ago was asked why he only ever flew in four engined aircraft.
Answer
Because they don't make any five engined aircraft.
Maybe not in his time, but it's a shame that he wasn't better informed about his company's history, vide the Felixstowe Fury .....
Jack
Answer
Because they don't make any five engined aircraft.
Maybe not in his time, but it's a shame that he wasn't better informed about his company's history, vide the Felixstowe Fury .....
Jack
After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, we determined we were unable to compete effectively given the current requirements and the evaluation methodology defined in the RFP. There are fundamental proposal evaluation issues that inhibit our ability to submit a competitive offering, and that provide a significant advantage to our likely competitor.
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The USN just need to look at the shambles of the Canadian Cyclone procurement to see that the S92 is the wrong aircraft for the President. There is little doubt they should be procuring the AW101 but politics will not allow it.
Last edited by Bismark; 5th Aug 2013 at 11:48.
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The CSARX contract is apparently worded such that there is no benefit for having an aircraft that is better than a stated requirement, hence the cheapest offering that meets the requirements wins (not always the best choice); so everyone except Sikorsky has pulled out. It doesn't take a massive leap to work out what has happened here especially as they already said they would now like a couple of cheap taxis instead of one aircraft that does all.
As I said before, if he wants to fly around in the (supposedly) best american aircraft, thats up to him; it's just not the best aircraft available. as for a single engine failure, the pilot I spoke to said it was a "non-event" and the passengers wouldn't even know he was dealing with it on the EH101 (or whatever model). I suspect he was trying to impress me with his steely jawed attitude, but he seemed quite convincing, I am only a humble grubber.
Bismark speaks the truth about the Canadian shambles and if you want to know about the "run dry" debacle, then look in the Rotorheads thread for that too.
FAR29 indeed.
As I said before, if he wants to fly around in the (supposedly) best american aircraft, thats up to him; it's just not the best aircraft available. as for a single engine failure, the pilot I spoke to said it was a "non-event" and the passengers wouldn't even know he was dealing with it on the EH101 (or whatever model). I suspect he was trying to impress me with his steely jawed attitude, but he seemed quite convincing, I am only a humble grubber.
Bismark speaks the truth about the Canadian shambles and if you want to know about the "run dry" debacle, then look in the Rotorheads thread for that too.
FAR29 indeed.
Last edited by oldgrubber; 5th Aug 2013 at 22:06.
