Avalon 2017: Bell pitches Viper and Venom helos to Australia

[Zarvan]

Bell Helicopter is pitching both its AH-1Z (foreground) and UH-1Y (background) helicopters for separate Australian requirements. Source: Bell Helicopter

Bell Helicopter is offering its AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom platforms to Australia based on the commonality between the two types and the interoperability they afford with the US Marine Corps (USMC).

Speaking to Jane's at the Avalon Airshow on 2 March, vice-president Global Military Business Development, Keith Flail said that the company has held discussions with the Australian Department of Defence (DOD) on offering its AH-1Z attack platform as a potential replacement for the Airbus Helicopters Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), and plans to offer its UH-1Y utility platform as a special operations forces (SOF) solution.

"We have had discussions with the DOD, which has stated that it is either going to upgrade or replace its Tigers. We have provided a business case on the AH-1Z to offer 22 helicopters in the current 2025 timeframe [if they opt for replacement]. We are also offering the UH-1Y for special forces, with 15 aircraft being the requirement," Flail said, adding: "We believe that the 'one-two punch' of the AH-1Z and UH-1Y is a big deal, as is having both types already fielded by the US Marine Corps."

Bell first touted its AH-1Z as a potential replacement for the Tiger ARH at the Avalon Airshow in 2015. Being an already marinised platform (along with the UH-1Y), the AH-1Z would not require any further enhancements to fly from the Royal Australian Navy's two landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships. The DOD is to make a decision under Phase 3 of the Project AIR 87 Tiger ARH procurement programme on whether to upgrade its existing helicopters for operations from the decks of HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide.

As Bell Helicopter notes, the AH-1Z has been built from the outset to be resistant to corrosion; has the same engines as those fitted to the Lockheed Martin MH-60R maritime helicopter fielded by the RAN; has folding main rotor blades; has heavy-duty tie-down points; and has shielded systems so as to be 'ship-safe' (the ship's onboard electronics will not interfere with the helicopter's hardware and software in the same way as they would an unshielded, land-based helicopter).

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options:　ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(375 of 957 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/68405/avalon-2017-bell-pitches-viper-and-venom-helos-to-australia