Bad news for Bell and the LUH

This kind of thing isnt new or just limited to the Army .
CFR

Yes. leave it to the Army to mess it up

QUOTE: Originally posted by Cobrahistorian Wow, so our choices are: Pretty, but too expensive and has skids, Ugly, no tail rotor and has skids, Pretty, but too big and has retractable gear or Hideously ugly, and has skids. WHO CAME UP WITH THIS FRIGGIN COMPETITION????

Leave it to the Army to mess it up. The Bell 210 would have been fine, but they really want to get away from the huey and anything like it. The y think it makes them look old and out of date. I hope they go with the 412, but I doubt it, being I know how they army works.

Wow, so our choices are:

Pretty, but too expensive and has skids,
Ugly, no tail rotor and has skids,
Pretty, but too big and has retractable gear
or Hideously ugly, and has skids.

WHO CAME UP WITH THIS FRIGGIN COMPETITION????

When is the Army going to announce the winner

Bell's submission is the 412EP, which seems to be alittle pricey. Here are the helicopters up for the LUH:
Bell 412 EP (too old and expensive)
MD 902 (Army dosnt want NOTAR)
AB 139 (too big and army dosnt want retractable landing gear)
UH 145 (ugly as hell)

My bet is that the EC 145 (uh-145) will be the winner. I am not a happy camper

We're always discussing these type of things in the helo forum

QUOTE: just trying to keep the site relevant to modeling. Plenty of chat boards and forums out there for pilots and helos as well. Since it is a modeling site, lets stick to modeling relevant issues.

With all those old D/H models sitting there, it would be nice to see them go back in service with new life(also it would be nice to go to an airshow and see one of my old birds)

QUOTE: Originally posted by RotorheadTX QUOTE: Here we go with the political BS. Why don't we keep misguided personal politics out of it and focus on the helos and models of them. You're right, it was stupid, cheap, and gratuitous. I apologize to all and will edit the posting. But there is one angle that I failed to look at it from - the old evil of inter-service rivalry. Why isn't the Army looking at the UH-1Y?? The Marines are bearing the load for getting this bird fielded, and it would seem to make sense that if the Army needs a Huey replacement they should look at the evolved Huey!

No problem, just keeping it focused.

As to the UH-1Y, I think it is cost. I don't know the exact figure, but I am sure the Y model is way more expensive than what the Army is looking for. The Y is quite the advanced system and quite costly. Also, the USMC are the ones who wanted and developed the Y model as well, it fits their needs better than the UH-60.

QUOTE: Here we go with the political BS. Why don't we keep misguided personal politics out of it and focus on the helos and models of them.

You're right, it was stupid, cheap, and gratuitous. I apologize to all and will edit the posting.

But there is one angle that I failed to look at it from - the old evil of inter-service rivalry. Why isn't the Army looking at the UH-1Y?? The Marines are bearing the load for getting this bird fielded, and it would seem to make sense that if the Army needs a Huey replacement they should look at the evolved Huey!

I think what started out as a good idea is turning out to be yet another expensive mistake by the Army. The Army wanted something cost effective, off the shelf and in a reasonable amount of time. Bell offered that with the 210. The other aircraft would cost in the range of 4 to six mil (412 being at the 6 mil mark). It would cost about 2.5 mil for each aircraft and, I think about 6 months to convert one. It is no frills of course, but thats what you need in the Army. Not to mention the cost of training crews to fix these new aircraft. I was told by someone in the mix that the mechanics for these new birds will have to be A&P trained, which is nuts. How are reservists going to get time off for that. Most of us have already been away from our jobs for 2 years worth of deployments. I weekend drill school would take 2 years to get through that. The Bell 210 would require a light trasition compared to all that other bull! Another thing is that it is going to meet the needs of medevac and raid?????? Two very different missions. I just can't see how one airframe will be good at both. A modified ARH should be used for raid. I just dont see how going from and a four crew, 10 passenger and 3 litter configuration to a 6 passenger, 2 litter configeration (and room for one crew member in the back ONLY) is a good thing.

QUOTE: Originally posted by RotorheadTX A shame about the 210 indeed - but Bell still has the new scout programme, right? Further still, picking up the EC-145 is another example of typical Pentagon stupidity; the A-109 Power is already in the inventory as the MH-68!! Duuuuh Rummy! Of course the lib-dem in me laughs out loud at Bush's Pentagon having to eat **** and buy (primarily) French-built helicopters!!!!!

Here we go with the political BS.

First the LUH hasn't been selected yet. Bell still could win the contract. I'm sure if the MH-68A/A-109 Power meets all the requirements, it will be selected. Just because it is already in the inventory, doen't mean it is the right aircraft for the job. The best helicopter to meet the needs will be chosen. No matter who makes/designed it, it will most likely be license-built by a US company anyways. I would love to see the Huey soldier on as well, but if something else can do the job better, and cheaper, then that is the helo to go with.

By the way, Rumsfeld has nothing to do with selecting the helo. The decision is made way below his level.

Why don't we keep misguided personal politics out of it and focus on the helos and models of them.

A shame about the 210 indeed - but Bell still has the new scout programme, right?

With the A-109 Power already in the inventory as the MH-68, that would seem a logical alternative .......

Sad to say, it appears it will be the EC145

Hate to hear that, especially right after the HUEY proved itself again

Shame to hear that.