PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - The future of UK SAR, post SAR-H
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Old 22nd Feb 2013, 13:03
  #1192 (permalink)  
jimf671
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
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I am sensing a different approach. A large contract lasting many years in recessionary times is a risk management game. The main contract changes the game in a vital way: neither the contract nor the number of bases force two aircraft per base. So it's about one a/c per base plus spare aircraft dedicated to the contract. The S-92 is proven technology with plenty hours including SAR service. Neither the AW189 nor its competitor, the EC175, have operational hours and only a handful of prototypes exist, so they are unproven. Expect more spare aircraft in Lot 2. If the AW189 has more proven technology in vital aspects of the design: job done.
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