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Old 29th August 2007 | 11:58
  #35 (permalink)  
Razor61
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 816
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From: Devon, England
Found this on the MoD Website relating to the subject:-

The Puma/Gazelle Integrated Project Team (PG IPT) is part of DG Helicopters within DE&S. The IPT provides through life equipment management, and engineering and logistic support for the Puma and Gazelle helicopter fleets operated by Joint Helicopter Command (JHC). This includes technical support including airworthiness management, configuration control and publications provision, logistic support including spares provision and management of rotable component repairs, and management of Depth maintenance.

Puma Helicopter
The PG IPT has 5 locations, the Headquarters and Service Support Organisation is based at Yeovilton in Somerset and is divided into 4 principal areas: Engineering/Logistics, Business Management, Commercial and Depth Management. With the Puma Depth Support Hub at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, the Gazelle Depth Support Hub at Middle Wallop in Hampshire, a Resident Project Officer at Eurocopter in Marignane in Southern France and the Puma HC2 Team at Abbeywood, the IPT comprises of approximately 110 military and civil service staff.

The IPT supports the Puma and Gazelle helicopter platforms on operations with:

The Puma HCMk1 operated by the Royal Air Force and used for transporting personnel and equipment around the battlefield. It can carry up to 16 equipped soldiers or lift a load of 2 tonnes, and has particularly good performance in hot temperatures and at high altitudes. The fleet is expected to continue in Service until 2010 when it will start to be replaced by the updated Puma HC2. The Puma HC2 will continue in Service until 2022.The smaller Gazelle AHMk1 is operated by the Army in the reconnaissance and liaison roles. While the formal Out of Service Date for Gazelle remains 2018, the MOD is examining options to replace Gazelle, and it is unlikely to remain in service much beyond 2012.

The IPT is effectively operating across the CADMID cycle with Gazelle AH1 and Puma HC1 operating in the In-Service Disposal phases, and Puma HC2 in the Assessment and Development and Manufacturing phases.

---- end snip---

So, what aircraft are the MoD looking at to replace the Gazelle? I take it they are looking towards Eurocopter with the EC-135/145 or not?
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