USAF PRV (SAR) again H-92 vs. US-101
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USAF PRV (SAR) again H-92 vs. US-101
After the Presidental bid, the US Air Force looks now for a new SAR helicopter. The "PRV (Personnel Recovery Vehicle)".
Now are just two helicopters left. The H-92 and the US-101.
Now are just two helicopters left. The H-92 and the US-101.
Thursday April 14
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) on Thursday said it was dropping out of the race to build the U.S. Air Force's new search-and-rescue helicopter, while another expected contestant expressed concerns about the program's scope.
Both Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., part of United Technologies Corp. (UTX), told Dow Jones Newswires of concerns over the Air Force's proposed requirements. In particular, both firms were concerned that their helicopters wouldn't be able to meet the range requirement fast enough to justify a bid.
As a result, the field for the U.S. Air Force's new Personnel Recovery Vehicle is rapidly narrowing from an initially expected four entrants. Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) is the clear frontrunner after its victory in the Navy's presidential helicopter replacement program.
The Air Force expects to release a formal request for proposals in June, following a draft version due this month. The multibillion-dollar program is expected to include 141 helicopters that would be operational by 2011, according to Air Force program manager Lt. Col. Pat Bolibrzuch.
Sikorsky still expects to participate, despite its concerns. In an interview earlier this week, the firm's vice president for government business said the firm wouldn't make a decision until it sees the final requirements.
"There have been very, very frank and fruitful discussions at pretty senior levels at the Air Force. The Air Force is taking the comments to heart," Sikorsky's Joe Haddock said.
"We're seeing some positive results from that," Haddock said.
Northrop Grumman said its own talks with the Air Force led to its decision to withdraw from the race, although the firm would still like the Pentagon to buy some of its communications and related technologies.
"We have determined that some aspects of our offer would not meet those needs, " Northrop Grumman spokesman Randy Belote told Dow Jones. "We will continue to explore possible mission system applications and will continue to monitor the service's requirement."
Northrop Grumman had teamed with the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.'s (5730.FR) Eurocopter unit on the project. Their entry was based on the NH90 helicopter developed for NATO.
The fourth possible contestant for the Air Force's new helicopter is the V-22 Osprey, jointly made by Boeing Co. (BA) and Textron Inc.'s (TXT) Bell Helicopter unit. However, analysts say the Osprey is a longshot for the race because it is not a traditional helicopter. The V-22's tilt-rotor engines allow it to fly like a plane but take off and land like a helicopter.
At a hearing of a House Armed Services Committee panel Thursday, Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Bishop said the new helicopter was a needed replacement for its existing search-and-rescue helicopters. Those aircraft are old and are also in heavy use because of U.S. combat operations in South Asia, he said.
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) on Thursday said it was dropping out of the race to build the U.S. Air Force's new search-and-rescue helicopter, while another expected contestant expressed concerns about the program's scope.
Both Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., part of United Technologies Corp. (UTX), told Dow Jones Newswires of concerns over the Air Force's proposed requirements. In particular, both firms were concerned that their helicopters wouldn't be able to meet the range requirement fast enough to justify a bid.
As a result, the field for the U.S. Air Force's new Personnel Recovery Vehicle is rapidly narrowing from an initially expected four entrants. Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) is the clear frontrunner after its victory in the Navy's presidential helicopter replacement program.
The Air Force expects to release a formal request for proposals in June, following a draft version due this month. The multibillion-dollar program is expected to include 141 helicopters that would be operational by 2011, according to Air Force program manager Lt. Col. Pat Bolibrzuch.
Sikorsky still expects to participate, despite its concerns. In an interview earlier this week, the firm's vice president for government business said the firm wouldn't make a decision until it sees the final requirements.
"There have been very, very frank and fruitful discussions at pretty senior levels at the Air Force. The Air Force is taking the comments to heart," Sikorsky's Joe Haddock said.
"We're seeing some positive results from that," Haddock said.
Northrop Grumman said its own talks with the Air Force led to its decision to withdraw from the race, although the firm would still like the Pentagon to buy some of its communications and related technologies.
"We have determined that some aspects of our offer would not meet those needs, " Northrop Grumman spokesman Randy Belote told Dow Jones. "We will continue to explore possible mission system applications and will continue to monitor the service's requirement."
Northrop Grumman had teamed with the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.'s (5730.FR) Eurocopter unit on the project. Their entry was based on the NH90 helicopter developed for NATO.
The fourth possible contestant for the Air Force's new helicopter is the V-22 Osprey, jointly made by Boeing Co. (BA) and Textron Inc.'s (TXT) Bell Helicopter unit. However, analysts say the Osprey is a longshot for the race because it is not a traditional helicopter. The V-22's tilt-rotor engines allow it to fly like a plane but take off and land like a helicopter.
At a hearing of a House Armed Services Committee panel Thursday, Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert Bishop said the new helicopter was a needed replacement for its existing search-and-rescue helicopters. Those aircraft are old and are also in heavy use because of U.S. combat operations in South Asia, he said.
Last edited by hotzenplotz; 15th April 2005 at 13:55.
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From: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
The program will take place in two phases. Phase 1 (61 ac) effectively specifies an off-the-shelf rotorcraft for IOC 2010/11. Phase 2 (71 ac for IOC ~ 2020) has a baseline KPP of 200kts and a target of 300kts.
The CV-22 would clearly offer a potentially common solution between the two phases but would be more expensive; moreover, I doubt the USAF would pick the type to meet its parallel CVLSP reqt (66ac).
I/C
The CV-22 would clearly offer a potentially common solution between the two phases but would be more expensive; moreover, I doubt the USAF would pick the type to meet its parallel CVLSP reqt (66ac).
I/C
