Mon, Apr 09, 2007
Questions Choice Of Boeing
An April 4 letter from
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne was
critical of the manner in which the Air Force selected a Boeing
twin-rotor HH-47 Chinook last November for a contract worth as much
as $15 billion, reported Reuters.
In the letter, made public Thursday, McCain expressed concern
that the requirement for a medium-lift helicopter resulted in the
selection of a heavier aircraft. McCain also acknowledged the
rescue helicopters as the service's second-highest acquisition
priority.
"Unfortunately recent developments in this program do not
inspire confidence that this is the case," said McCain's
letter.
"We are confident the CSAR-X (Combat Search and Rescue
helicopter) platform met all key performance parameters as required
in the request for a proposal," said an Air Force official.
In February, citing inconsistencies in the Air Force's
evaluation of operations and support costs for the new fleet, the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) supported protests by failed
bidders Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin over the contract award to
Boeing.
As ANN reported, the Air Force agreed
to reopen talks with all suppliers.
to industry observers who expected a lighter helicopter to take the
contract.
Sikorsky's bid was framed around its HH-92 helicopter. Lockheed,
meanwhile, teamed with Italian defense manufacturer Finmeccanica
SpA to bid the AgustaWestland 101 helicopter. The 101 has already
been tapped as the new presidential helicopter.
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