New Medium Helicopter [NMH] - (RAF & AAC)

[new guy]

Interesting post from Gabriel, is this a sign that the AW149 has won NMH (as we all expected it probably would) or if something else wins, is it a sign that the MoD is going to add yet another type to the inventory instead of using some joined-up thinking (and we all probably expect this too )? I did also find it interesting that he says its basically between the AW149 and the UH-60... I wonder what is putting Airbus in third place for him?

If we keep watering down the requirments for medium helicopters by nibbling away at the core number, we may as well just lease a minimum number of Puma replacements off the shelf and be done with it....

This has and always was separate to NMH, these FOST helicopters are owned by a contractor, like the aggressor aircraft we also have on contract.

Completely unrelated to NMH.

[Little J]

This has and always was separate to NMH, these FOST helicopters are owned by a contractor, like the aggressor aircraft we also have on contract.

Completely unrelated to NMH.

Yes, but with the MoD stating what aircraft they would prefer, there has to be a link in their thinking.

At least, I hope somebody in Whitehall is capable of long term thinking

[new guy]

This has and always was separate to NMH, these FOST helicopters are owned by a contractor, like the aggressor aircraft we also have on contract.

Completely unrelated to NMH.

Yes, but with the MoD stating what aircraft they would prefer, there has to be a link in their thinking.

At least, I hope somebody in Whitehall is capable of long term thinking

It's up to the contractor to deside the appropriate platform.
They probably picked AH139 due to it's usage in the commercial space, like oil rigs.

[leonard]

In the meantime the Polish Army Air Cavalry brigade received the third AW149 heli.
The particular of the Polish Army new AW149 is their have acquired the full militarize option of heli.
( You can say anything about the outgoing Polish government except that it didn't take care of it's armed forces and modernize them very very quickly )

[new guy]

[Little J]

At least some can make a decision...

[mrclark303]

At least some can make a decision...

I think this particular can is being kicked down the road and left with next government to sort out.

It will invariably be delayed again until SDSR2025 has had it's say.

So Puma will have to lump on for a few years yet in my opinion.....

Or a potential interim lease solution?

[Little J]

I'm Thinking NMH didn't stand for "New Medium Helicopter", it stood for "North Macedonia Helicopter"... We helped them choose

The whole of the MoD is FUBAR right now. I can't see any light at the end of this tunnel...

[mrclark303]

I'm Thinking NMH didn't stand for "New Medium Helicopter", it stood for "North Macedonia Helicopter"... We helped them choose

The whole of the MoD is FUBAR right now. I can't see any light at the end of this tunnel...

"North Macedonia Helicopter"

Hilarious

[new guy]

I'm Thinking NMH didn't stand for "New Medium Helicopter", it stood for "North Macedonia Helicopter"... We helped them choose

The whole of the MoD is FUBAR right now. I can't see any light at the end of this tunnel...

FUBAR

[jonas]

Some progress ?

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... ess-on-nmh

[jonas]

Latest from Gabriele on twitter :-

Gabriele Molinelli
@Gabriel64869839
New Medium Helicopter kick off "i hope before the end of the month", James Cartlidge MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, just said.
4:02 PM · Feb 21, 2024
·
8,072
Views

[Little J]

Sorry, but what the fudge is "positive progress"? Sounds like a soundbite to cover for a stalled programme

[Ron5]

Some progress ?

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... ess-on-nmh

Never heard of the "parliamentary assessment committee" before. And I'm pretty sure parliament approval is not part of the MoD acquisition process.

44 airframes seems a bit of a stretch.

[tomuk]

Some progress ?

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... ess-on-nmh

Never heard of the "parliamentary assessment committee" before. And I'm pretty sure parliament approval is not part of the MoD acquisition process.

44 airframes seems a bit of a stretch.

It isn't I think they mean the Investment Approvals Committee inside MOD.

I watched the meeting and the interactions between Francois and Lt Gen Magowan DCS are comedy gold. I'm wondering at what point Rob Magowan is going to snap and go all Jack Nicholson\Col Jessup on Mark Francois.

I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You f'd with the wrong Marine!

[new guy]

[mrclark303]

I doubt it, it will be kicked into the long grass for the next government to try and figure out how to pay for it....

My guess is the whole thing will be reduced to a rolling lease deal for a minimum number of medium helicopters

[new guy]

I doubt it, it will be kicked into the long grass for the next government to try and figure out how to pay for it....

My guess is the whole thing will be reduced to a rolling lease deal for a minimum number of medium helicopters

[mrclark303]

I doubt it, it will be kicked into the long grass for the next government to try and figure out how to pay for it....

My guess is the whole thing will be reduced to a rolling lease deal for a minimum number of medium helicopters

I will happily put money on an awful lot of waffle and fu*k all commitment to absolutely anything, something like this:

"I have today instructed the Mod beverage department at Abby Wood to begin considerations about the sandwich choices for a possible (date and venue to be decided) future meeting regarding a possible replacement medium helicopter decision".

I should have added, " unless Leonardo wish to book the Ritz and hand out paper bags with money and reserved non executive board positions , in which case we will wait for a suitable period of time and announce the AW 149 is clear winner of an exhaustive competition "

[Jensy]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

One would hope Leonardo's industrial promises aren't taken seriously anymore by the MoD. Not to mention they have RN PROTEUS (the programme not the ship) to keep them busy for now.

[mrclark303]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

One would hope Leonardo's industrial promises aren't taken seriously anymore by the MoD. Not to mention they have RN PROTEUS (the programme not the ship) to keep them busy for now.

I would settle for any of the competitors now, just get and bloody older a decent number!

I have a horrible feeling we will end up with a minimum number on lease.....

[Ron5]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

Why do you think that?

[Jensy]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

Why do you think that?

Alyn and Deeside is a far more marginal constituency than Yeovil.

[tomuk]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

Why do you think that?

Alyn and Deeside is a far more marginal constituency than Yeovil.

It's had a Labour MP since it was created in 1983. Even if things got a bit dicey in 2019 at the height of Boris\Brexit mania I can't see how it could be considered a marginal now.

[mrclark303]

Ignoring the platforms, and focusing purely on politics, my money's on Airbus. Should the programme go ahead before the election.

Why do you think that?

Alyn and Deeside is a far more marginal constituency than Yeovil.

It's had a Labour MP since it was created in 1983. Even if things got a bit dicey in 2019 at the height of Boris\Brexit mania I can't see how it could be considered a marginal now.

Are we going to have a sweepstake.....
I'm still sticking with Leonardo's sacred Wasteland site will be secured at any cost....