The Air Force issued its request for proposals (RFP) for its next-generation Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter (CRH) program Friday, according to a notice posted at Federal Business Opportunities (FBO).
CRH is designed to replace the Air Force’s aging HH-60G Pave Hawks with new air vehicles, training systems and product support. The services said it most likely will purchase 112 new air vehicles, but the RFP has been structured to handle fluctuations of quantities.
The Air Force plans for an award no later than Sept. 28, 2013. Solicitations from interested contractors are due Jan. 3, 2013.
Sikorsky, a division of United Technologies Corp. [UTX], said in January it would offer a modified UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter for the USAF’s CSR program. European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) said in January it was “interested” in CRH as it developed (Defense Daily, Jan. 10). Emails to Sikorsky and EADS for comment were not returned by press time.
AgustaWestland, a division of Finmeccanica, will offer its AW 101 helicopter with Northrop Grumman [NOC] acting as the prime contractor, according to AgustaWestland spokeswoman Angelica Falchi.
Boeing [BA] spokesman Andy Lee wouldn’t confirm yesterday if Boeing would bid, saying the company will evaluate the RFP against the capabilities and specifications of the H-47 Chinook helicopter and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Both Boeing and a Boeing-Bell Helicopter [TXT] team are rumored to be interested in CRH with Boeing possibly offering its H-47 and Boeing-Bell bidding the V-22.
View the RFI here: http://1.usa.gov/RXQACe
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