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U.K. Helicopter Acquisition Strategy Clears Hurdle
Defense News 07/18/05
The British MoD’s powerful Investment Approvals Board (IAB) has green-lighted the development of a new generation of Lynx helicopters, upgrades to naval EH101s, and steps to finally bring into service eight much-needed Chinooks sidelined since their 2001 delivery.
The chiefs of defense procurement and logistics and the vice chief of the Defence Staff are among those on the five-person IAB — the senior committee at the MoD responsible for investment decisions that includes the ministry’s chief scientific adviser.
Recommendations coming out of the July 6 IAB talks would set in motion a process of governmental approval that, if things go according to plan, could culminate in the fourth quarter of this year with an MoD procurement announcement on a number of programs. For now, though, the outcome of the deliberations remains under wraps. An MoD spokesman even declined to confirm the July 6 meeting took place.
“The Merlin update [Merlin Capability Sustainment Plus] got through, although with question marks over whether the entire fleet would be upgraded,” one industry source said. “Future Lynx development for the Army and Navy was approved, subject to various conditions, particularly whether AgustaWestland can demonstrate value for money; and the Chinook modification work looks like it won the IAB’s approval.”
The statement was echoed by several others in industry. All cautioned, though, that the IAB was only the first of several significant hurdles the projects would have to overcome before gaining government approval, and are therefore subject to change.
It also seems as though the eight Chinook HC3s marooned for several years at the MoD airfield at Boscombe Down will be modified for service. Although the delivered helicopters met the contract specifications, the British were unable to demonstrate that the avionics software met local standards.
I/C