Not much sign of a 189 yet then???
Unfortunately, that aircraft is now not likely to deploy at the start of service at any of the bases that replace military flights.
Eleven S-92A and some AW139s allows Bristow to equip nine bases without rushing the AW189. S-92A will stand in for AW189 in Scotland and AW139 in England and Wales. The original plan for availability levels that used one aircraft per base and spares at strategic locations appears to be back, for now.
AW139 does not fulfil the requirements of a Lot 2 aircraft for number of survivors.
On the plus side, it is looking like the AW189 will enter service fully equipped and certified. And, while we are waiting for the AW189, we still have new aircraft, a new regulatory framework, 78 managed transition aircrew and lots of new role equipment.
It is what it is.
Could have been worse. Could have been a MoD procurement.
