Boeing and Sikorsky to Offer HH-92 Rescue Helicopter
Boeing and Sikorsky have teamed to bid on a competition to replace the U.S. Air Force’s Pave Hawk rescue helicopters. The two companies will offer the HH-92, a variant of Sikorsky’s H-92 family, for the service’s Personnel Rescue Vehicle (PRV) requirement. Sikorsky will provide the aircraft and Boeing Air Force Systems will be responsible for integrating the mission equipment.
The move comes as a blow to Bell, which is holding a briefing here today on its plans to offer the V-22 Osprey for the PRV requirement. Boeing is Bell’s partner in the V-22 program, and its decision to team with Sikorsky apparently indicates that Boeing expects a conventional helicopter to win.
The other declared candidate for PRV is Team US101, based on the AgustaWestland EH101 with Lockheed Martin as prime contractor. Northrop Grumman has joined Team US101 as defensive systems integrator. Bell is also a member of the team, assembling the helicopters in Texas.
Boeing’s decision to partner with Sikorsky means a replay of the VXX competition, in which the US101 defeated the H-92 and was selected as the next U.S. Presidential helicopter.
The USAF is looking for 146 aircraft and expects to start development during FY2006. Deliveries are due to begin in 2008. —Bill Sweetman
