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A Panel of experts on IMO(meself and Mr Turkey) have done some brainstorming,and come up with a list of possible contenders for the tender for 2 TWIN ENGINE LIGHT UTILITY MILITARY HELICOPTERS.
What we came up with was limited,at best, but the tender is quite specific,and rules out a lot of aircraft.
Agusta A109
Eurocopter EC635
Eurocopter AS555
20
Agusta A109
45.00%
9
Eurocopter EC635
35.00%
7
Eurocopter AS555
10.00%
2
Other type
10.00%
2
The poll is expired.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
If the A109 was a tad bigger, I think it would be the best choice and would also break the Eurocopter stranglehold on the IAC, but as things are at present, the EC635 seems to be the most likely contender.
Brainstorming.......experts????? Ja**s, will ya get off the wheelbarrow?:D :D :D
"We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
Illegitimi non carborundum
I can see them sticking with euroCopter for some strange reason :D
"He is an enemy officer taken in battle and entitled to fair treatment."
"No, sir. He's a sergeant, and they don't deserve no respect at all, sir. I should know. They're cunning and artful, if they're any good. I wouldn't mind if he was an officer, sir. But sergeants are clever."
Wile looking through the specifics for the AS555, I noticed that one of the fittings,a GPS requires subscription by the user. Imagine the panic once the 12 months are up and the GPS is asking the pilot for his user ID and password?
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
Summary of tender for Light Utility Helicopter, by me:
QTY: 2
MAIN ROLE: training
CREW + PAX: 2 + 5
MUSTS:
Twin engined
Single & dual pilot IFR capable
Fire extinguishing system
NVE Compatible
Dual controls & instruments
Flight management system
Mode S transponder
Radio altimeter
Specified radio fit
Crew comms fit
Cabin sliding doors on each side
Crashworthy seats for crew
Crash resisitant seats for pax
CVR, FDR, ELT
Cabin heater, ventiliation, windscreen wipers
Capable of external load (SHOULD BE MIN 1000 kg)
Skis available
Air Ambulance role with 1 patient
Floation devices available
Rescue Hoist available
Abseiling kit available (1/2 troops from both sides simultaneously)
Quick browse throught the Eurocopter & Agusta website show this:
EUROCOPTER MODELS
EC 635 P2 / T2 (suitable as LUH)
AS 565 UB (suitable as UH)
AS 555 UN / AN (only 2+4 passengers)
EC 130 B4 (only 1 sliding door)
AS 550 C3 (only single engined)
AGUSTA MODELS
A119 Koala (only single engined)
A109 LUH (suitable as LUH, but only if it has 2 sliding doors)
Super Lynx 300 (suitable as LUH only, as external load is only 1360 kg)
Therefore the following are suitable as LUH:
Eurocopter EC 635 P2 / T2
Agusta A109 LUH
Super Lynx 300
The super lynx has been included un the UH category by the IMO experts because the 1500kg Slung load is a "should"not a "must". Missed that the AS555 is a 2+4 only. Wouldnt mind but i even flew in one once so you would think i would remember..
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
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