Some points:
1) The tender required custom designed gear, to be designed and qualified by Canadian companies to Canadian military standards. This was for both companies, and establishes the schedule, as the design development and qualification of this gear is the longest lead time, by far, but that way the Canadian user gets exactly what they want.
2) The airframe is virtually identical in the S-92 and H-92, and the production line is humming, as we have sold out the first 2 1/2 years of the line already!
3) Tail and main rotor fold are easy modifications, when you make helicopters for a living. We have designed and produced about 4,000 helicopters with folding tails. Now it will be 4,028. The design was started over a year ago, BTW.
4) Do the math! The original tender was for $4.8 Billion Canadian for about 50 helicopters, with no guaranteed support. The new tender (after 11 years of inflation) for 3.2 Billion for 28 helicopters, and includes 20 years of full maintenance cost. Even with the $0.5 Billion in contract cancellation cost, the new deal proves the old deal was a poor bargain, and properly cancelled.
Regarding capability, I will shortly post the relative peformance of the two aircraft. I could use some help from any EH-101/Cormorant drivers out there, as the brochures are unclear on a few points:
What is the empty weight of your aircraft, not including the mission equipment and supplies stored in the cabin? What is the flight manual HOGE weight for 1000 ft standard temp (OAT = +13 degrees C)?
Last edited by NickLappos; 24th Jul 2004 at 14:55.