3D - Bristows' comedy answer to improving the S61 was to add a 360 radar mounted by the tail wheel - this was level of their 'innovation' and 'forward thinking' - not only was there no such piece of equipment available off the shelf but it would have got squashed every time the aircraft landed on anything but a billiard table LS.
Tallsar - apart from the manpower issues at Valley, the spares provision does seem to have improved under SKIOS2 and all expectations are for it to get better as AW are the providers (apart from specialist sub contractors) from manufacture to fitting now - I don't think the same can be said for the S92 or AW139. The costs of running the SeaKing could be brought down if one could stop it cracking and fit modern avionics - there are many S61s still flying with 20,000 to 30,000 hours on the clock, our fleet leaders have a good deal less than that so there should be a lot of life in the old girl yet.
If the full Carson package was applied, the structural frames (290 et al) would be replaced as well as the main and TR blades. If we went the whole hog and binned the folding head as well we would end up with a 140kt helicopter with an increased RoA (gusting 300nm I reckon - still with 17 seats available for casualties) with a proven track record, a MRGB with an emergency lube system, almost 360 radar, FLIR and TV turret, sat tracking (coming soon), NVG compatible cockpit and a modern autopilot a la Mk3A.
Any of the bidders' aircraft match that spec? I have been led to believe that to even meet the current capability would cost more than estimated - you should know if you are who I think you are
and your post seems to indicate my suspicions are correct. So where would that leave us? Pay more or think again - so much for civsar being cheaper than the mil, it only validates much of what I have said ad nauseum on this and other threads about civilianisation.
The modified mil Sea King option would not cost £3-5bn and the govt would not be locked into a 30-year contract with no escape, there would be no dip (temporary or permanent) in the overland night SAR capability and the military would remain the major player in UKSAR helicopters.
I think my job might be safe for a while longer frankly