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.

FMI: www.gao.gov, www.navy.mil, http://armed-services.senate.gov