AgustaWestland Partners With Northrop Grumman To Bid On The 'Marine One' Replacement, Other Projects

Northrop Grumman Corporation and AgustaWestland have signed a comprehensive teaming agreement to respond to anticipated requests for both the new Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One” Presidential Helicopter. A US built helicopter based on the AW101 platform will be offered by Northrop Grumman to meet these requirements, the companies said Tuesday. The teaming of Northrop Grumman’s proven management and systems integration expertise with AgustaWestland’s world-renowned rotorcraft manufacturing and advanced helicopter design/development, offers both programs an optimum mix of capability to successfully bring the best possible new combat rescue helicopter to the Air Force and the best possible new Presidential helicopter to the Navy-Marine Corps team.

AgustaWestland said in a news release that Northrop Grumman has demonstrated successes in managing the development of complex air system. They say that coupled that with the continuous investment in rotorcraft technology development AgustaWestland has made to field "the world’s most advanced, rugged and reliable helicopters," both the Air Force and the Navy will "receive and field the best possible affordable systems. The AW101 system is a mature, reliable, highly capable and combat-proven multi-mission aircraft that affordably meets the needs of the nation’s combat search and rescue (CSAR) forces and will serve the Nations’ Presidents far into the future."

"We strongly believe that the AW101 is the right aircraft for both missions and that this team can succeed," said Bruno Spagnolini, CEO of AgustaWestland.

"This is a strong partnership between two companies that combines each company’s strengths,” said Paul Meyer, vice president and general manager of Advanced Programs and Technology at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector. “While Northrop Grumman has broad expertise in systems integration of large aircraft programs, AgustaWestland has world-leading expertise in global rotorcraft and vertical-lift. We believe that this industry partnership will bring together the best experience, expertise and resources, ensuring that the customer receives the best solution.”

Sikorsky plans to offer an aircraft based on the S-92 airframe in a partnership with Lockheed Martin as a replacement for the current Presidential transport. Sikorsky spokesman Frans Jurgens told the Connecticut Post that the company has not yet received sufficient direction from the Navy about its acquisition plans to offer many specifics.

AgustaWestland had previously partnered with Lockheed Martin and won a $6.1 billion contract to replace the Presidential helo, but it was cancelled after cost overruns and delays in the program. Jurgans said Sikorsky also plans to bid on the Air Force SAR helo, but has not indicated on which of its helicopters that aircraft will be based.

(AW101 image provided by AgustaWestland, S-92 image provided by Sikorsky)

FMI: www.agustawestland.com. www.sikorsky.com