Tendered Helicopters

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

According to the Irish Independent who contacted the manufacturers that tendered for the helicopter contract, this is the list of aircraft that were offered for the tender:

Eurocopter

Training: EC135
Utility: EC145


Agusta Westland

Training: A-109
Utility: AB-139


Sikorsky

Training: S-76
Utility: UH-60 Blackhawk


I wonder what heli combination will be picked?  (Keeping in mind that the Air Corps can pick the training heli from one company and the utility from another.)


Regards,

Frank.

[futurepilot]

What I would like to see is an all Sikorsky contract mainly due to the DoD`s insistance that the MUH contract may be re-opened in the future and there would be a strong chance that the S/H-92 would get the contract therefore we`d have commonality in the fleet.

I really hope the EC-145 doesn`t get the contract. While it just about fits the minimum criteria for the tender, its performance really isn`t good enough to warrant its selection.

[clan]

I thought the tender stated that the contenders must be proven Military Helicopters. Are the EC145 and the AB139 proven as a Military Helicopters. I cannot find anything that says they are?

[futurepilot]

The EC145 is a civilian heli so I don`t know why eurocopter offered it. The AB139 has been ordered by the Oman airforce and it is expected to be selected by the Italian army soon.

[clan]

Either Agusta and Eurocopter got word it would be OK to submit helicopters that were not proven in a Military configuration or the Sikorsky have won already. Which is not bad thing.

[Pink Panther]

Dont expect the Aer corp to get MLH's anytime soon.The last contract for MLH's was for three with an option for two more.The first three were to be used for SAR.Now that SAR is in private hands it has weakened the argument considerably.Tenders for heli's by the DOD dont happen very often. :'>