AB139 contract signed

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

Now that the contract for the AB139's has been signed (click here for the press release), I've two questions..........

1)  Since there is such a short notice period for exercising the options for two more AB139's, has there been any word on whether or not this option will be taken up?

2)  Since the first two heli's are not due until 2006, followed by the last two in 2007, what interim heli types will be supplied to the Air Corps, how many will be supplied and when will they be delivered?


Thanks in advance,

Frank.

[IAS]

If they get 3 Dauphins flying again, can they not act as an interim solution?

IAS

[Frank]

The Dauphins are a totally different class of helicopter, operating the Dauphins as a lead in to the AB139 will not provide the pilots with the experience and training required to fly the AB139 effectively.

Besides, it stated in the tender document that interim helicopters were to be provided pending delivery of the new helicopters.


Regards,

Frank.

[futurepilot]

One would hope that the interim heli`s would be AB139s owned by BellAgusta. Any other type wouldn`t really make sense considering the cost and time it would take to get pilots type-rated on a different typr of heli.

[sledger]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea):    I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 120 together.

Following a tender competition, two contracts have been signed for the provision of new helicopters for the Air Corps, at a total cost of over €61 million.

Four utility AB139 helicopters are being acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters will be built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AB139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.

The four AB139 helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings for the utility helicopter will include training and operations with special forces, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They will also be used to perform air ambulance, inland search and rescue, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks.

Two light utility EC135 helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The two helicopters will be built at Eurocopter’s facility in Donauworth, Germany. Both EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of this year.

The two light utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps primarily in the military pilot and aircrew training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.

Best interim solution is a combination of training abroad and 1-2 loaner lead-in aircraft pending deliver of the purchased 139's.  Specifically, rotate pilots to Canada for six month stints of modern tactical helicopter operational training and squadron flying on CH-146 Griffons (Bell 412's), and low cost/no cost lease from Agusta of 2 AB-412's to continue the training and operational work-up in Ireland.  At about three months out from delivery either send the first crop of pilots to Italy for 139 transition or bring a 139 to Ireland to begin in-country transition.  The important thing is to develop the modern tactical battlefield helicopter operational skills and mindset to make proper use of the 139's, as opposed to an air ambulance & rotary wing MATS flying club.  The intent should be interoperability with fellow European and yes, NATO, tactical helicopter forces, including regular exercises, so as to have a credible, internationally deployable capability with an eventual force of 6-8 AB-139's.

[Silver]

That make absolute sense to me oldredeye !

Incidentially, why was there no mention of the possibility of getting a simulator for either types ?

Surely for a small force -with limited aircraft-  like the Air Corps this would make absloute sense !

(I read in an old Air International about the German Army buying 15 x EC135's plus a couple of EC135-flight simulators).

Well said Silver.  A 139 simulator is probably wise, particularly if the numbers of aircraft, and therefore the numbers of qualified pilots goes up to say 6-8 aircraft and 20-25 pilots. The best solution may be buying time on the Italian Army's planned full motion 139 simulator as they go ahead with plans for some 40+ 139's to satisfy their ESC requirement - not to mention other branches in Italy such as the Carabinieri, Coast Guard, etc. that will eventually operate 139's and need simulator access.  Look for something like the Italian Air Force C-130J advanced simulator at Pisa - soon to be joined by a C-27J Spartan simulator - both designed to provide time to foreign customers.

As for the 135's, the IAC should most definetely establish a relationship with the German Army Flying School for curriculum development, Instructor Pilot training and regular simulator access.  They have operated around 16 EC-135's for several years, along with an advanced, full motion simulator and other state-of-the-art training aids.  Another good use for a new B200 - regular trips to Buckleberg near Hannover!

Cheers