By Marina Malenic
The Air Force plans to open separate competitions this year and next for a new fleet of helicopters for patrolling the nation’s ICBM fields and for a recapitalization effort of its combat search-and-rescue helicopters, the service said this week on its web site.
The Air Force is planning to release a draft request for proposals (RFP) this summer for the Common Vertical Lift Support Program (CVLSP) to replace the Bell Helicopter [TXT] UH-1N helicopters now providing support to convoys associated with that mission, as well as the Air Force’s executive lift requirements. The plan is to buy 93 helicopters, according to the announcement. A final RFP is expected in the fall to support initial operational capability in 2015.
Top Air Force brass–including the head of Global Strike Command, the organization that operates the aircraft–had been pushing for a sole-source arrangement with the Army to buy approximately 90 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters for the mission under the United States Economy Act of 1932 (Defense Daily, Nov. 29).
Under the sole-source option, the Air Force would have added its order for the helicopters to an Army contract with Sikorsky, a division of United Technologies [UTX]. The Army would in turn sell the aircraft to the Air Force.
The other known interested bidders for the deal and their respective products include: the AgustaWestland North America AW139M; the Bell UH-1Y Super Huey; and the EADS North America AS332 Super Puma.
A separate RFP expected in 2012 for the HH-60 recapitalization program, which is designed to replace 112 HH-60G Pave Hawks used for combat search-and-rescue missions, the Air Force said in this week’s announcement. According to Fiscal 2012 budget documents, the Air Force plans to buy an off-the-shelf platform with some specialized equipment integrated.
Thirteen Pave Hawks have been lost to combat or other mishaps. Of the remaining 99, 54 are undergoing structural repairs. The Air Force plans to purchase additional Sikorsky HH-60s to replace operational losses in the meantime.