http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/81862
美國陸軍OH-58F直升機首飛
2013-05-06
   [據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年4月30日報導]美國陸軍的OH-58F“基奧瓦”直升機於4月26日在美國阿拉巴馬州的紅石兵工廠進行了首飛，據悉該機由美國陸軍自行設計並製造，並將在4月30日做正式首飛。

    美國陸軍武裝偵察直升機項目負責人Robert Grigsby上校透露，該型號直升機已經進行了數周的結構測試，但其上沒有安裝航電設備。

    陸軍的“基奧瓦”項目負責人Matt Hannah上校透露說，新型的“基奧瓦”直升機比以往的OH-58直升機減重73千克（160磅），從而提升了直升機的飛行性能。但是，現代化改型的OH-58直升機在35℃時的無地效懸停高度無法達到使用方需求的6000英尺（1830米）高度。

    儘管升級後的OH-58沒有克服其在高溫高海拔下的性能缺陷，但設計方實質性地提升了直升機駕駛艙和感測器的性能。OH-58F的引入了安裝在機頭部位的雷神AAS-53光電/紅外攝像機，提升了駕駛艙的控制系統的硬體和軟體。此外還引入了全色多功能顯示器、數位通信設備，直升機的耐受性實施已進行了升級，佈線系統也進行了重新設計。未來該型直升機將引入雙餘度發動機數位控制系統和洛克西德馬丁公司的數位式AGM-114“地獄火”空對地/艦導彈。

   當前陸軍已經製造了兩架OH-58F和一架結構試驗樣機。第一架生產型也正在阿拉巴馬州生產，並將把該生產線在今年秋季轉移至德克薩斯州的Corpus Christi。之後陸軍將開始製造三架生產樣機以檢驗生產能力。2014年11月將開始有限的用戶試用，預計在2015年3月達到“里程碑C”決定，並開始小批量試生產。預計在2016年底交付部隊使用。

   該型號直升機預計將生產368架。首批小批量試生產週期內將生產27架，第二個小批量試生產週期內將生產32架。預計在2017年將開始全速生產並將持續生產至2025年。

    儘管美軍最初計畫在2025年左右將OH-58F退役，但是美國國防部當前的財政預算情況可能會使OH-58F繼續服役至2035年左右，一旦這種情況發生，美陸軍將繼續對OH-58F進行結構升級。

    此外，儘管OH-58F 60%的部件是新的，另外40%的部件是40多年前的產物。Hannah透露駕駛艙和感測器升級項目並不是延長服役期項目，因為之前服役的OH-58直升機上沒有這些新設備。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   黃宇新）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-army-oh-58f-makes-first-flight-385319/
US Army OH-58F makes first flight
PrintBy:   Dave Majumdar Washington DC 01:33 30 Apr 2013  Source:  
The US Army's OH-58F Kiowa Warrior made its first flight on 26 April at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The helicopter, which was designed and built by the army itself, will make a formal debut on 30 April.

"What you're going to see is the ceremonial first flight of this aircraft," says Col Robert Grigsby, the army's project manager for armed scout helicopters. "The aircraft actually flew on Friday for the first time."

Grigsby notes that a "structural test" airframe has already been flying for a few weeks, but that it does not have the avionics found on the F-model aircraft.

Lt Col Matt Hannah, the army's product manager for the Kiowa Warrior, says that the new variant reduces the weight of the Bell OH-58 by 73kg (160lb), which improves the aircraft's performance. But the modernised F-model does not meet the service's requirement to hover out of ground effect at 6,000ft (1,830m) pressure altitude at temperatures of 35˚C (95˚F).

While the upgrade does not rectify the Kiowa's shortcomings in the hot and high environment, it does substantially improve the helicopter's cockpit and sensors. The OH-58F adds a new nose-mounted Raytheon AAS-53 electro-optical/infrared camera, improved cockpit control hardware and software for enhanced situational awareness, Hannah says. It also adds three full-colour multifunction displays, digital inter-cockpit communications, aircraft survivability equipment upgrades and a redesigned aircraft wiring harness.

In the future, the aircraft is expected to receive dual-redundant digital engine controls and digital capability for the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile, Hannah says.

Right now, the army has completed two true OH-58Fs and one structural test vehicle, Hannah says. The service's prototype integration facility is building the first production representative aircraft in Alabama, and production will transition to Corpus Christi, Texas, "in the fall", he says.

When that happens, the army depot at Corpus Christi will build three production representative aircraft to qualify the facility to produce the upgraded machines. Limited user trials will start in November 2014, while a "Milestone C" decision to start low-rate initial production (LRIP) is expected in March 2015, Hannah says. The first operational unit should be equipped with the new variant by late 2016.

Total production is expected to consist of 368 aircraft. LRIP 1 will include 27 aircraft, while Lot 2 is expected to consist of 32. Full-rate production should start in 2017, with the activity to run though 2025.

While the army originally intended for the OH-58F to leave service around 2025, the US Department of Defense's current budgetary situation may require the Kiowa to remain in the inventory into the mid-2030s, Grigsby says. If that is to happen, there will need to be additional structural upgrades to the aircraft.

While 60% of the OH-58F is new, 40% of the aircraft consists of original components dating back more than 40 years, Hannah says. "The CASUP [cockpit and sensor upgrade] programme is not a service life extension programme, and does not zero time the aircraft," he notes.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/81637
最新英國皇家空軍“支奴幹”直升機首飛
2013-04-23
    【據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年4月15日消息】波音公司已發佈了為英國皇家空軍生產的最新型CH-47“支奴幹”直升機的首飛照片。

    據波音公司透露，該機於3月15日在波音公司位於費城的Ridley Township廠區首飛，首飛時間比進度計畫有所超前。此次首飛對Mk6“支奴幹”直升機的初始適航性進行了驗證。

    Capt David Childs是波音公司英國防務裝備和支援組織的“支奴幹”小組負責人，他表示在達成合同不到20個月內就實現首架機首飛是巨大的成就。

    “支奴幹”Mk6採用了很多先進的技術，包括為英國專門研發的航電系統和前視紅外系統。

    該機計畫在今年晚些時候交付，在此之前將在美國亞利桑那州進行其他相關測試。

    英國皇家空軍總共訂購了14架該重型直升機。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   黃宇新）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-newest-raf-chinook-makes-maiden-sortie-384679/
PICTURES: Newest RAF Chinook makes maiden sortie
PrintBy:   Dominic Perry London 04:30 15 Apr 2013  Source:  
Boeing has released images of the first flight of the newest CH-47 Chinook helicopter destined for the UK Royal Air Force.

The 15 March sortie at the company's Ridley Township, Philadelphia facility took place ahead of schedule, says Boeing, and confirmed the initial airworthiness for the Mk6 Chinook.

"This is a truly impressive achievement for both Boeing and the project team," says Capt David Childs, Chinook team leader for the UK's Defence Equipment & Support organisation. "To see the first aircraft fly less than 20 months after contract signature is a source of great pride for all those involved in this key project."

The Mk6 Chinook features advanced technology including UK-specific avionics and a forward-looking infrared system.

It will undergo testing in Mesa, Arizona before delivery to the UK later this year.

The RAF has 14 of the heavy-lift helicopters on order.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/81449
NH工業公司為比利時生產的首架海軍型NH90直升機開始首飛
2013-04-12
【據飛行國際網站2013年4月9日報導】NH工業公司為比利時生產的首架海軍型NH90直升機4月5日在德國進行了持續45分鐘的首飛。比利時希望用NH90直升機替換韋斯特蘭公司的“海王”直升機。

據NH工業公司表示，工作人員在首飛時對該直升機進行了基本系統的測試。在未來幾周內，NH工業公司將與客戶代表一起對該直升機進行一系列的飛行測驗，包括對直升機的基本性能和任務系統等進行測試。

在荷蘭選擇了NFH型NH90直升機之後比利時也選擇引進4架類似構型的NH90直升機用於替換海軍裝備的“海王”直升機。比利時還訂購了4架戰術運輸型NH90直升機，首架NH90直升機已於2012年12月21日交付。

據悉以色列擁有4架“海王”48型直升機，都於1976年開始服役。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   黃宇新）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-belgian-maritime-nh90-makes-first-flight-384388/
PICTURE: Belgian maritime NH90 makes first flight
PrintBy:   Craig Hoyle London 01:25 9 Apr 2013  Source:  
NH Industries' (NHI) first naval-variant NH90 to have been produced for Belgium made a 45min flight debut from Eurocopter's Donauwörth production site in Germany on 5 April, launching a test programme for the nation's Westland Sea King replacement.

"The crew successfully tested the basic systems of this new generation aircraft," NHI says. "During the next few weeks, this first Belgian NH90 NFH will perform several other test flights in order to check the aircraft behaviour and its mission system, with industry and customer crews."

Belgium will introduce four NH90s as replacements for its maritime Sea Kings, with the Step B standard aircraft to be in a similar configuration to the NFH aircraft acquired by the Netherlands. Brussels is acquiring another four NH90s in the tactical transport helicopter variant, with the first of these having been delivered to the Belgian Air Component on 21 December 2012.

Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database records Belgium as operating four Sea King 48s, all of which were first flown in 1976.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/81343
英國首架搜救型AW189將于明年交付
2013-04-09
【據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年3月27日報導】按照英國最近授予的遠端搜索與救援合同要求，阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭公司將在2014年上半年向Bristow直升機公司交付11架搜索與救援（SAR）構型AW189的首架。

該型直升機的設計和生產將全部在阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭位於英國Yeovil的工廠完成，使該工廠在現有軍用項目的基礎上增加SAR直升機製造能力。

這項合同包括訓練和支持在內總價值2.35億歐元（3.55億美元），但對於阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭的真正價值在於能夠保護其在英國的工業基礎。

阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭英國公司主席科爾相信在該專案壽命期內能確保向全球市場銷售約200架SAR直升機。科爾稱：對於未來銷售的討論已在進行中，有眾多客戶對該專案表現出濃厚的興趣，而英國政府的採購決定更是起到了積極的作用，希望未來一年內能有實質性進展。

AW189基本型的取證應在2013年下半年進行，而SAR型的適航認證將在2014年初進行。

雖然科爾承認關於是否保留該公司在英國製造能力的爭論將使潛在客戶不安，但他相信該型直升機的價格優勢能夠消除這些影響。

迄今為止，這型配裝兩台通用電氣CT7發動機的超中型直升機已經獲得了70架意向訂單。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-uk-sar-aw189s-to-be-delivered-next-year-383967/
First UK SAR AW189s to be delivered next year
PrintBy:   Dominic Perry  03:20 27 Mar 2013  Source:  
AgustaWestland will deliver the first of 11 search and rescue-configured AW189s in the first half of 2014 to Bristow Helicopters to operate under the UK's newly awarded Long SAR contract.

The rotorcraft will all be designed and produced at the airframer's Yeovil, UK site as it adds a SAR helicopter manufacturing capability to its existing UK and international military programmes.

Including training and sustainment, the deal is worth £235 million ($355 million) to AgustaWestland, but the real value for the business is in securing its UK industrial footprint.

Graham Cole, chairman of AgustaWestland in the UK, believes it can secure sales of around 200 SAR helicopters to the global market over the lifetime of the programme, a figure he describes as a "conservative estimate".

Cole says discussions on future sales are already under way. "There are a number of very interested parties and this decision by the UK makes them even more interested," he says. "We hope that between now and when we start to deliver the helicopters we will have moved that forward quite considerably."

Certification of the baseline AW189 is due in the second half of 2013, with approval for the SAR variant following in early 2014.

Although Cole acknowledges that its arguments about preserving the UK's manufacturing capability will have held some sway with operators, he believes they are more driven by price. "They would have argued a way to choose another aircraft if they felt it was better," he says.

"The UK dimension was a factor, but these are definitely commercial people and were looking at the bottom line."

AgustaWestland has based one AW189 test aircraft at Yeovil, a first for the site. So far the General Electric CT7-powered super-medium twin has secured 70 commitments from operators.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/80545
新加坡追加訂購兩架S-70B直升機
2013-02-27
    [據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年2月20日]新加坡已經簽署追加訂購兩架S-70B海上直升機的合同，並將於2016年交付。據工業界人士透露，這兩架直升機將擁有與新加坡海軍現役6架S-70B不同的武器組件，但沒有介紹具體的配置細節。

    新加坡已有的S-70B於2011年1月正式服役，用於執行反潛任務，裝備有L-3遠端主動聲呐和魚雷。也可通過改裝執行包括反艦、搜救、醫療撤送和垂直補給等在內的其他任務。在反艦任務中，該型直升機能裝載8枚AGM-114“地獄火”反艦導彈，還能配裝機槍和航炮。

    雖然新加坡的S-70B部署在6艘“可畏”級護衛艦上，但飛行和維護仍由空軍人員操作。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-orders-two-additional-s-70b-helicopters-382523/
Singapore orders two additional S-70B helicopters
PrintBy:   Greg Waldron Singapore 06:38 20 Feb 2013  Source:  
Singapore has signed a contract for two additional Sikorsky S-70B seaborne helicopters, with the rotocraft due for delivery in 2016.

The new aircraft will have a "different weapons kit" to the Republic of Singapore Navy's existing fleet of six S-70Bs, says an industry source, who declines to provide exact details about how they will be equipped.

Singapore's existing S-70Bs, which were inaugurated into service in January 2011, are optimised for anti-submarine warfare duties, with an L-3 long-range active sonar and torpedoes.

According to Sikorsky's website, the S-70B can be configured for several other missions, including anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue, medical evacuation and vertical replenishment.

In the ASuW role, the type can be armed with up to eight Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, as well as machine guns and cannons.

Although Singapore's S-70Bs operate from the nation's six Formidable-class frigates, they are flown and maintained by air force personnel.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/80162
英國尚未確定進行升級的“灰背隼”HC3直升機數量
2013-01-28
   [據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年1月21日報導]英國國防部尚未確定具體有多少架皇家空軍的“灰背隼”HC3/3A運輸直升機將升級後交付給皇家海軍直升機突擊部隊使用。

    防務裝備技術支持委員會大臣Philip Dunne透露，“灰背隼”直升機壽命支持項目目前正處於評估階段，當前主要考慮對該型直升機的兩栖作戰能力進行升級，包括將升級直升機的數量和升級工作的內容等。

    由於皇家空軍的波音CH-47“支奴幹”機隊規模將擴大，皇家空軍的“灰背隼”直升機將進行升級後移交給皇家海軍以替代當前韋斯特蘭公司的“海王”HC4/4+直升機。該批“海王”直升機將在2016年退役。皇家空軍目前有27架“灰背隼”直升機，配備在第28和78航空中隊。

    此外Dunne還透露英國國防部有一個“粗略的設想”，計畫在2020年左右部署新一代的空中預警指揮直升機，並作為航母打擊力量的一部分。但同時指出該計畫尚未通過主要投資決策點，因此討論具體服役時間為時尚早。

    為了與海軍部分升級的“灰背隼”HM2多功能直升機整合，新一代空中預警系統將替代當前在役的“海王”預警機。英國國家審計委員會最近曾警告由於海軍預警直升機在2016年退役，可能會出現一個大約為期四年的預警直升機空白。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   黃宇新）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-yet-to-decide-on-merlin-hc3-upgrade-details-381292/
UK yet to decide on Merlin HC3 upgrade details
PrintBy:   Craig Hoyle London 01:52 21 Jan 2013  Source:  
The UK Ministry of Defence has yet to decide how many of the Royal Air Force's AgustaWestland Merlin HC3/3A transports will be upgraded for use by the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force.

"The Merlin life sustainment programme is currently in its assessment phase," says minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne. "This is considering options to enhance the Merlin Mk3/3A aircraft's ability to support amphibious operations, including the number of platforms to be upgraded and the nature of the upgrade."

Currently flown by the RAF, but to be transferred to the RN in 2014-15 due to a pending increase in the size of the former's Boeing CH-47 Chinook fleet, the upgraded Merlins will replace the navy's remaining Westland Sea King HC4/4+ aircraft, which are due to leave use during 2016. The air force has a current active inventory of 27 Merlins, with the type (HC3 variant pictured below) flown by its 28 and 78 squadrons.

Meanwhile, Dunne confirms that the MoD has a "broad planning assumption" for the RN's Crowsnest project to field a new airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) helicopter fleet to be available as part of its new carrier strike capability during 2020. However, he notes: "Crowsnest has not yet passed its main investment decision point, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment on its specific in-service date."

To be integrated with some of the navy's upgraded Merlin HM2 multimission helicopters, the next-generation airborne early warning and surveillance system will replace the service's Sea King 7 ASaC aircraft. The UK National Audit Office recently warned of a potential four-year capability gap following the latter fleet's planned retirement during 2016.

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/80025
英國皇家海軍將面臨空中監視及運輸直升機短缺問題
2013-01-21
[據飛行國際網站2013年1月11日報導]英國國家審計委員會（NAO）近日發出警告，英國皇家海軍將在2016年“海王”直升機完成退役後面臨將近4年的直升機空中監視及控制（ASaC）能力缺口。

目前英國皇家海軍航空兵共擁有13架“海王”Mk7 ASaC直升機，為其提供早期預警能力，這批直升機使用的是泰萊斯公司的“搜水”雷達系統。

英國國防部目前已啟動了代號為“鴉巢”的工作，以採購一批新機來填補能力缺口，該計畫今年將進入評審階段。目前的計畫方案是在海軍現有的阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭公司“灰背隼”HM2多工直升機上進行升級，加裝ASaC任務設備以滿足使用需求。目前的備選方案中包括採用現役“海王”預警直升機的任務設備，以及採用諾格公司為F-35開發的有源相控陣雷達技術等。

NAO在1月10日發佈的主計畫年度報告中稱，海軍目前可能還將面臨指揮大約2年的直升機能力短缺。這是指其“海王”HC4/4+運輸直升機退役但“灰背隼”HC3/3A尚未形成完全作戰能力的這段時間，大約是2014-15年。

目前國防部正在對避免出現能力缺口的解決方案進行評審。根據其發佈的4年年評估報告，ASaC能力的替代系統將與海軍即將裝備的首批兩艘65000噸級“伊莉莎白女王”級航母同時交付。

同時，報告還透露，“灰背隼”HM2升級專案由於其2011-12年研究階段工作的滯後，其進度將延期4個月，這主要是由於2011年11月開始海軍暫停了3個月包括“灰背隼”在內的一批機型的非作戰飛行任務，以滿足軍用航空局對其提出的新的認證要求。

改型後的HM2應於2014年6月開始服役，並將使用到2029年。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   李昊）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/royal-navy-to-face-surveillance-transport-helicopter-shortages-380947/
Royal Navy to face surveillance, transport helicopter shortages
PrintBy:   Craig Hoyle London 02:50 11 Jan 2013  Source:  
The UK Royal Navy will encounter a potential four-year gap in its ability to deliver organic airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) services late this decade, following the retirement in 2016 of its last Westland Sea King helicopters, the government's National Audit Office (NAO) has warned.

Thirteen Sea King 7 ASaC aircraft are operated by the RN's Fleet Air Arm, with the type having provided airborne early warning cover from surface ships and also currently flying overland surveillance missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Nicknamed "Baggers", the helicopters carry a Thales Searchwater radar.

The Ministry of Defence's "Crowsnest" effort to buy a replacement capability should enter its assessment phase this year, with current plans calling for some of the RN's upgraded AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 multimission helicopters to be adapted to carry an ASaC equipment fit. Options are believed to include integrating systems currently flown aboard the Sea King, or ordering a new mission system from Lockheed Martin, including active electronically scanned arrays being developed by Northrop Grumman using technology also found on Lockheed's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

In its annual Major Projects Report, published on 10 January, the NAO says the RN also faces the prospect of a two-year gap in its commando helicopter force capability, between the retirement of its Sea King HC4/4+ transports (one picture above) and the full availability of an upgraded fleet of Merlin HC3/3As, which are due to be transferred from Royal Air Force ownership in 2014-15.

"The department is examining alternative means of closing these capability gaps," the government's spending watchdog says. A replacement ASaC system would be available in time to coincide with the operational availability of the RN's first of a possible two 65,000t Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, according to its four-year estimate.

Meanwhile, the report also reveals that the Merlin HM2 upgrade programme encountered a four-month schedule slip during its 2011-12 study period. This was due to a suspension of about three months of non-operational flight activities involving the type from November 2011, plus new certification demands imposed by the UK Military Aviation Authority, it says.

The modified HM2 should now achieve in-service status in June 2014, and is expected to remain in operational use until 2029.

http://n.yam.com/cna/international/20130116/20130116145734.html
南韓海軍決採購山貓直升機
中央社-2013年01月16日 下午12:28

 （中央社記者姜遠珍首爾16日專電）南韓國防部防衛事業廳昨天決定，選擇英國和義大利合作生產的「山貓」（Lynx Wildcat，AW-159）作為配置到海軍艦艇上的多功能海上作戰直升機。

南韓「中央日報」今天報導，雖然這一項目的招標原本傾向於美國塞考斯基（Sikorsky）飛機公司的MH-60R，但由於在價格談判與技術轉移等問題上，英國與義大利的合資公司Agusta-Westland條件較優，因此，南韓當局最後選擇了「山貓AW-159」直升機。

據報導，美國塞考斯基公司報價6000億韓元（約新台幣163億9500萬元），而英國和義大利方面則在最後給出了4500至5000億韓元左右的價格。

南韓政府一直在推動於2018年之前引進能夠搭載到神盾艦和驅逐艦上，負責探測敵方潛艦並進行攻擊，也能夠進行兵力輸送等多種功能的直升機。

報導指出，防衛事業廳相關者透露，南韓政府原本編列了5890億韓元的相關預算，這次大約節省了1000億韓元。

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/79954
英國直升機搜救項目競標商減少至兩家
2013-01-16
【據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年1月10日報導】日前，負責管理英國直升機搜索與救援（SAR）採購專案招標過程的英國運輸部（DfT）確認加拿大運營商CHC直升機公司不再參與該項目後續活動，目前該項目僅剩英國Bond直升機公司和美國Bristow集團兩家競標商。
    DfT拒絕透露CHC退出的原因，但該部門的競標規則規定投標額高於其他公司20%的競標商將出局。CHC公司首席運營官在給其英國雇員的信件中確認了該公司與其他競標商在投標金額上的差距。

    該項目最終的競標材料應該在本月晚些時候提交，DfT預計將在第一季度做出決定，該專案將於2017年開始替換皇家海軍和空軍的韋斯特蘭“海王”直升機。

    兩家競標商都沒有透露各自參與競爭的機型，但“飛行國際”預計阿古斯塔•韋斯特蘭公司正在研製的AW189至少已經得到了一家競標商的青睞。

    按照“過渡SAR”合同，在6月30日前，CHC公司將繼續在Lee-on-Solent、Portland、Sumburgh和Stornoway地區進行SAR服務。而從7月開始，CHC公司將保留其在Lee-on-Solent和Portland的運營，而Bristow公司將接手Sumburgh和Stornoway地區的運營。（中國航空工業發展研究中心   褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-sar-contest-down-to-two-bidders-380907/
UK SAR contest down to two bidders
PrintBy:   Dominic Perry London 03:34 10 Jan 2013  Source:  
A long-running procurement programme for the UK's helicopter search and rescue (SAR) requirement has been whittled down to two bidders after a third competitor was required to exit the contest.

The UK Department for Transport, which is managing the process, confirms that Canadian operator CHC Helicopter is no longer part of the tender process, leaving Aberdeen-based Bond Helicopters and US firm Bristow Group as the bidders.

DfT declined to confirm the reasons for CHC's exit, but it is understood that the department's tender guidelines bar a company from taking its offer forward if it comes in 20% higher than one of the other contenders.

A letter issued to UK employees by Peter Bartolotta, CHC's chief operating officer, confirms the financial discrepancy. It reads: "The UK Department for Transport advised us that another bidder tendered at more than 20 percent below the price we submitted.

"We don't have insight to the financial or other motivations of competitors. But we know that the economics at a price 20 percent lower than our interim bid simply aren't right for CHC," it says.

Final submissions for the contract, which will see Royal Navy and Royal Air Force units equipped with Westland Sea Kings replaced from 2017, are due later this month, with a decision expected "in the spring" according to the DfT.

The bidders are staying silent on the aircraft they have proposed for the contract, but Flightglobal understands AgustaWestland's in-development AW189 has been put forward by at least one company.

CHC, meanwhile, will continue to operate SAR services from Lee-on-Solent, Portland, Sumburgh and Stornoway until 30 June under the so-called "interim SAR" contract. From July it will retain operations at Lee-on-Solent and Portland under "gap SAR" through to 2017, with Bristow taking over Sumburgh and Stornoway.

Additional reporting by James Ferguson, Aberdeen

http://www.dsti.net/Information/News/79836
比利時接收首架NH90運輸直升機
2013-01-09
    [據英國《飛行國際》網站2013年1月3日報導]比利時已經接受了首架NH90直升機。比利時訂購了總共8架NH90直升機，其中4架為該國空軍選用的戰術運輸直升機構型，另外4架為北約護衛艦直升機（NFH）構型。此次交付的首架機用戶為空軍，於2012年9月18日首飛，12月21日在歐直馬賽工廠完成交付，採用NH90的最終作戰構型標準，很快就會投入使用。比利時首批飛行員和技術人員在2012年7月就已開始針對這一機型的訓練。尚未交付的四架NFH構型中，兩架將部署到海軍艦艇上，其餘兩架將替換韋斯特蘭“海王”直升機提供搜救服務。

同時，歐直也已經向法國海軍移交了首架NFH90“B階段”構型，這是針對法國海軍正在使用的7架NH90直升機實施的一項能力增強專案，改進後的NH90反潛/反艦戰任務能力有了較大幅度提升。

NH工業集團稱至今已向14個國家交付了總共133架NH90直升機。（中國航空工業發展研究中心  褚世永）

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-belgium-accepts-first-nh90-transport-helicopter-380647/
PICTURE: Belgium accepts first NH90 transport helicopter
PrintBy:   Craig Hoyle London 02:55 3 Jan 2013  Source:  
Belgium has accepted its first of eight NH90 helicopters from NH Industries (NHI) partner company Eurocopter.

One of four aircraft to be produced for the Belgian Air Component in the tactical transport helicopter configuration, and first flown on 18 September, the rotorcraft was delivered at Eurocopter's Marignane site near Marseille on 21 December. Manufactured in the NH90's final operational configuration standard (below), the asset will enter use soon, with the first Belgian pilots and technicians having begun training on the type in July 2012.

Belgium's other four NH90s will be produced in the NATO frigate helicopter (NFH) variant. Two will be embarked aboard naval vessels, while the remainder will replace Westland Sea Kings in providing search and rescue services.

Meanwhile, Eurocopter has also handed over the French navy's first NFH-variant NH90 to have completed in a "Step B" version. An enhancement over the seven examples already operated by the service, the model features improved capability in performing anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare tasks.

NHI says it has so far delivered 133 NH90s to operators in 14 countries.