NZ Airforce Helicopter tender
 

I see The NZ airforce put their requirements for the new training helicopter out these are the requirements.

REQUEST FOR TENDER

TRAINING/LIGHT UTILITY HELICOPTER (T/LUH) CAPABILITY

The Ministry of Defence is managing a project to acquire a Training/Light Utility Helicopter (T/LUH) that will be employed more broadly than as a basic training helicopter. The T/LUH will support the NH90 in the conduct of counter-terrorist or police operations. The T/LUH will also provide helicopter ab-initio and advanced helicopter pilot training, Qualified Helicopter Instructor training as well as providing a full range of crewman training tasks.
The Crown’s intention is to seek capability solutions that minimise procurement costs by maximising ‘off the shelf’ content and limiting non-recurring engineering costs, without unduly constraining a Respondents ability to offer innovative solutions. Specifically, the T/LUH must be currently in production and have twin engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control, a fully integrated digital cockpit utilising multi-function displays, a Flight Management System, an advanced autopilot and be capable of certification to FAR/JAR Part 27 or equivalent military standards. The helicopter must embody a secure military communications suite. The helicopter must be suitable for training pilots and aircrewmen in all day and night VFR and IFR operations including; the use of night vision goggles, the conduct of winching and the carriage of underslung loads. The Crown has a preference for a T/LUH with a retractable wheeled undercarriage for a range of training and risk mitigation reasons, including deck operations and conformity of lead-in training to the NH90 and SH-2G Seasprite, as well as to provide some growth potential for future maritime light utility tasks. It is envisaged that the T/LUH, at Maximum All Up Weight, will be in the 3-tonne class. The delivery of a suitable Flight Training Device is an integral requirement of the project.

The project involves the manufacture and delivery of a Training/Light Utility Helicopter and the provision of a Flight Training Device along with appropriate technical and integrated logistic support for both.

That'll be a A109 Power then, surely?

Game over.

bell 430 - mauw 4 tonne. does that put it in the 3-tonne class?

or the dauphine 2?

Probably not! ;)

Do you mean the EC155? I've got a feeling that the second '5' refers to the fact that it's in the 5 tonne class. Again, a bit on the heavy side... :ok:

Move over Royal OZ Navy, NZ Defence Ministry are about to gazzump you on the blithering stupid stakes.
A multi million dollar machine for boys to play with, yep that's the way to destroy a real strong economy.

Whatever machine they decide on, the deal is going to work out very expensive as it seems they're only buying one...

What's the logic in this?