Slightly off thread...
There was me thinking [and writing as if] times had changed and the Explorer was again on the up when in comes a none too clear press release...
MESA, AZ, Oct. 6, 2005 – MD Helicopters (MDHI) is bidding its MD Explorer for the U.S. Army's $1.3-billion Light Utility Helicopter Program.
"From the beginning, it has been clear that the MD Explorer is the single helicopter that meets the specifications of the LUH program on both variables of performance and price," said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Patriarch Partners, LLC, an investment advisor who manages the funds that own a controlling interest in MDHI. "And, there has never been any doubt that we were going to go all-out to win this program in order to deliver to the US Army a helicopter widely known for its safety features and price/performance benefit," Tilton confirmed.
MDHI had been paired with Lockheed Martin, but since parting ways has made the commitment to move forward..........
There has been no release stating that the previous LUH arrangement was over....
SO WHERE DID THAT 'since parting' COME FROM?
It looks as if Lockheed Martin [LM] has called time on going with MDHI in pursuit of the LUH program only weeks after setting up camp.
Now if LM, presumably in possession of the full facts rather than any public domain spin, are either walking away or are being pushed away perhaps we will have to look at the apparently positive scenario again.