Originally Posted by
SASless
The proof is in the pudding as they say....which spec and what was in the spec if the spec used was not the US Army Spec that the H-60 had to meet.
Evidently the USAF did not consider the need for the Army Spec when it decided to by the MH-139 from Boeing/AW with the goal of replacing the Bell UH-1N helicopters used in physical security operations for missile sites and for VIP ops in the Washington DC area.
Funding for the acquisition of 84 Aircraft was omitted from the DOD FY-22 Budget.
Reasons for the delay in certification had to do with Weight and Engine Performance certifications required by the FAA.
The FY 23 Budget provides 174 Million USD for Five Aircraft and associated items.
Also tbt when the 139M was looked at as Huey replacement for the army, (others were 412Ep, the winning UH-72A Lakota) , did hear a rumour that the 13M was close to be selected at the time (April 2006) but alas the Lakota was month later.
Laughingly or not first mil customer for the 139 is IAC
cheers