UK Defence Forum

That would involve a certain amount of forward thinking by the MoD.

Tempest414 wrote: ↑23 May 2022, 12:26 Pumas replacement (and that I think) it should come with a folding rotor to allow it to operate from carriers , MRSS and even Escorts and OPV's

AGREE

When you have a war next door you move very very fast and shows that defence acquisition programs can not last decade's moving along

leonard wrote: ↑13 Jun 2022, 17:50 When you have a war next door you move very very fast and shows that defence acquisition programs can not last decade's moving along

Can see why Leonardo is rather reluctant to give up their main production line.

We had an opportunity to join the AW149 project early on, with all the benefits that could entail, instead we're at risk of becoming 'just another' customer alongside Egypt and Poland..

Airbus meanwhile:

Got to say the AW-149 looks good...

And we have a more detailed information on the Polish buy for 32 AW149 helicopter

Timmymagic wrote: ↑01 Jul 2022, 16:21 Got to say the AW-149 looks good...

Sorry to ask I know is just a rendering but those missile are Hellfire missiles or a possible Brimstone buy for the Anti-tank role of the helicopter any info is welcome ????

leonard wrote: ↑01 Jul 2022, 17:53 Sorry to ask I know is just a rendering but those missile are Hellfire missiles or a possible Brimstone buy for the Anti-tank role of the helicopter any info is welcome ????

The only Brimstone renders I've ever seen have been in grey, suspect these are Hellfire or JAGM.

Flight Global quoting the package as being worth $1.8bn (£1.5bn) for 32 helicopters.

The deal also covers the provision of logistics support, spare parts and ground-handling equipment, plus the “comprehensive training of pilots and technical personnel and the delivery of a set of advanced simulators and training equipment”.

“The localisation of industrial and logistical capabilities for these new helicopters to meet Poland’s needs leverage the long established and unique capabilities of PZL-Swidnik and its professional skills,” says Leonardo Helicopters managing director Gian Piero Cutillo.

Poland’s configuration will see the rotorcraft equipped for missions including troop transport and air support, along with casualty evacuation and combat search and rescue. This will include installing an electro-optical/infrared sensor turret, guided/unguided rockets, missiles and self-defence systems, Leonardo says.

Now they're buying specialist versions, unlike us, and we don't know what extras are being included, or what 'localisation' is taking place... However I do wonder if our budget is looking a little tight to meet 36, much less 44 platforms. That is unless we're going down the rebuilt Black Hawk path...

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/po ... 57.article

Jensy wrote: ↑01 Jul 2022, 21:51 much less 44 platforms

Since when has the initial requirement for numbers ever survived first contact with The Treasury.

IF some of these are to be used with 16AA or other combat formations we may want a few "Extras", though maybe forgoing the out riggers fir RPs and missiles. I am still assuming the main role of these new helicopters will be as a Puma replacement and so will at least have a self defence suite, NVG cockpit and a EO turret. Though not necessary for the other roles it may take on it is better to have and not need something rather then need something and not have it.

In fact that is something we will have to adjust alot of our defence planning around, all our land sea and air platforms need to have a full warfighting capability, not just a few TES available. Treasury will not like it, but like stores of spares and ammunition we need to realign our Armed forces towards full commitment especially those committed to NATO and in the European/Scandinavian Theatres.

First glimpse of an H-175M sporting the inevitable Union Jack...





Suspect it will also be pride of place at Farnborough.

Jensy wrote: ↑11 Jul 2022, 16:03 First glimpse of an H-175M sporting the inevitable Union Jack...





Suspect it will also be pride of place at Farnborough.

I’m sure it will



Also nice of Raytheon to bring along sentinel, make a few head sheds squirm.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/pres ... task-force

On the opening day of the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, Gloucestershire, leading aerospace companies Babcock International, Martin-Baker, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Spirit AeroSystems stepped forward as Strategic Partners in the new teaming.

The addition of Babcock, Martin-Baker and Spirit AeroSystems will increase the sovereign UK elements of the Airbus proposition sourced from across the country.

Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, Lenny Brown, said: “These agreements, signed with some of the most respected aerospace companies in the UK and internationally are a clear sign of the robustness and enduring value to the nation of our proposal

Defence and helicopter specialist Babcock will fulfill the critical role of support partner for the H175M in UK service at military operating locations.

Martin Baker, at Denham, Middlesex, with more than 70 years of aerospace experience, will provide specialist troop seating and cabin integration services.

In Belfast, Northern Ireland and Prestwick, Scotland Spirit AeroSystems, already an Airbus partner on the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft, will undertake extensive detailed design and manufacturing activities on the H175M.

In addition, Pratt & Whitney Canada, is formally partnering in the team for which it supplies and supports the PT6C-67E turboshaft engines from its market leading family of powerplants.

Further partners and suppliers from across the UK will be announced as the bid progresses based on the H175M helicopter to be produced at Broughton, North Wales.

Given that Leonardo has promised this before...I think UK MoD/BEIS needs to get some written contractual guarantees, with penalties, to back any claims up...

And this is a more precise Airbus Helicopter offer that focuses on the future exports of the H175M wich will be happening from the UK factory base .
Le H175M d’Airbus Helicopters. Candidat au gros appel d’offres du MOD britannique : 44 hélicos moyens pour le remplacement des Puma, Bell 212 et 412 et Dauphin. En cas de victoire, usine d’assemblage ouverte à Broughton (Galles), qui servirait aussi l’export #FIA22 https://t.co/CPus4OH8La

A very interesting thread from Francis Tusa:





I wonder when Westland's Blackhawk licence expired...

When you whant to go fast and don't have the fixation of "balancing the books" to slow you down you move fast very fast example

Remember the days when the UK used to build helicopter engines!

UK defence officials have pushed back the start of the tender process for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, potentially delaying the arrival of the new rotorcraft.

However, under a revised timeline, the MoD is now not expected to issue invitations to negotiate – essentially the precise requirements for the programme – to manufacturers until the first quarter of 2023, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... mpaign=RSS

Formally launching the NMH programme in May this year, via a contract notice and dynamic pre-qualification questionnaire (DPQQ), the MoD said it was seeking 36-44 helicopters in a contract worth £900 million to £1.2 billion, also covering training and support. Based on exchange rates at the time, that gave a budget worth $1.1-1.4 billion – a figure that has since declined to $1-1.3 billion given the lower value of sterling against the US dollar.

The MoD said it would also notify those companies it wished to participate in the tender process by 30 September – FlightGlobal understands that will now take place in the coming weeks, potentially before the end of the month.

Having failed to find a Puma replacement for over three decades this isn't exactly remarkable news, though another failure of the MoD under this pitiful excuse of a government.

UK defence officials have pushed back the start of the tender process for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, potentially delaying the arrival of the new rotorcraft.

However, under a revised timeline, the MoD is now not expected to issue invitations to negotiate – essentially the precise requirements for the programme – to manufacturers until the first quarter of 2023, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... mpaign=RSS

Formally launching the NMH programme in May this year, via a contract notice and dynamic pre-qualification questionnaire (DPQQ), the MoD said it was seeking 36-44 helicopters in a contract worth £900 million to £1.2 billion, also covering training and support. Based on exchange rates at the time, that gave a budget worth $1.1-1.4 billion – a figure that has since declined to $1-1.3 billion given the lower value of sterling against the US dollar.

The MoD said it would also notify those companies it wished to participate in the tender process by 30 September – FlightGlobal understands that will now take place in the coming weeks, potentially before the end of the month.

Having failed to find a Puma replacement for over three decades this isn't exactly remarkable news, though another failure of the MoD under this pitiful excuse of a government.

Jensy wrote: ↑21 Oct 2022, 20:47

UK defence officials have pushed back the start of the tender process for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, potentially delaying the arrival of the new rotorcraft.

However, under a revised timeline, the MoD is now not expected to issue invitations to negotiate – essentially the precise requirements for the programme – to manufacturers until the first quarter of 2023, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... mpaign=RSS

Formally launching the NMH programme in May this year, via a contract notice and dynamic pre-qualification questionnaire (DPQQ), the MoD said it was seeking 36-44 helicopters in a contract worth £900 million to £1.2 billion, also covering training and support. Based on exchange rates at the time, that gave a budget worth $1.1-1.4 billion – a figure that has since declined to $1-1.3 billion given the lower value of sterling against the US dollar.

The MoD said it would also notify those companies it wished to participate in the tender process by 30 September – FlightGlobal understands that will now take place in the coming weeks, potentially before the end of the month.

Having failed to find a Puma replacement for over three decades this isn't exactly remarkable news, though another failure of the MoD under this pitiful excuse of a government.

Not sure how you can blamed "the current goverment" for the failures of the MOD to conduct a procurement programme that has gone horribly wrong for 30 years as indicated by Jensy...

The problem is the MOD ... their procurement ability sucks - just look at how effective tiny Israel is in their procurement programmes relative to the size of their MOD ....

Definitely need a clear out of useless procurement personnel... Imagine the savings they could make!!!