German -Marineflieger Lynx 88 replacement

[chopper2004]

What with the heavy lift competiton going on battling out between Lockheed Martin Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47ER ( based on F) , the Bundeswehr are looking for replacement for their Marineflieger ( Naval Aviation).

https://www.janes.com/article/84863/bundeswehr-to-progress-sea-lynx-replacement-in-near-future-industry-official

The contenders are as follows

Lockheed Martin Sikorsky offering the MH-60R Romeo Hawk

Leonardo offering the Wildcat

NH Industries offering the NH90 NFH Sea Lion

If they pick the latter than basically it be an all Sea Lion fleet as the Sea Lion is replacing the Sea King anyhow. The second Sea Lion is undergoing flight trials currently. Personally I cannot see it as am sure they would like another airframe to grace their seas. In no way am I knocking the Sea Lion is just for a navy that size it makes sense unlike the Dutch who have a smaller fleet only need one type.

Back end of 2016 early last year a pair of Wildcats were attached embarked on the German navy frigates for a cruise. Again that could be a deciding factor..

The Romeo Hawk is also a good contender - albeit it’s already embarked with their neighbours north of the border in Denmark. Subsequently there are legacy Seahawks around the Med with Spain, Greece ( AegeanHawk) and Turkey.

Any thoughts?

cheers

[chopper2004]

Looks like Germans have decided to go for the NH90 as Sea Lynx replacement after all. They alread have the Sea Lion as the SK replacement.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/germany-picks-nh90-to-replace-sea-lynx-460052/

There are already completed mission demo trials.

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/07/sea-lion-successfully-completes-mission-demonstration.html

[Less Hair]

No surprise.

[etudiant]

A match made in heaven, the helos are rarely mission capable, but happily the ships are not either.
They can keep each other company in the maintenance yards.

Seriously, with the equipment in service rates of the German armed forces dipping below 10%, would it not make more sense to rebuild the support capabilities first before larding on another very complex system?