Helo Plans

The Air Force will hold full and open competitions for the recapitalization of two helicopter fleets rather than obtain a large quantity of Sikorsky Blackhawk choppers through a sole-source deal, according to an Air Force press release issued today.

The service will hold full competitions for two different types of helicopters: the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP), which conducts airlift and transport-style missions, and a replacement for the HH-60, known as HH-60 Recap, which is used for combat search and rescue. Air Force officials indicated to Congress last month that the service would likely pursue a competitive acquisition strategy, but exactly what that entailed was unclear. The Air Force intends to procure non-developmental aircraft in both cases.

The contracting and production time line for both platforms is fairly rapid -- a request for proposals for the CVLSP competition is expected this fall with a contract award expected in 2012, and the Air Force hopes to declare initial operational capability in 2015. HH-60 Recap procurement is slated to take place one year later, with an RFP to be issued in 2012, according to the Air Force press release.

Senior service officials told Congress in March that they expected three or four vendors to compete for these projects, and helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland told InsideDefense.com that the company will bid for both the CVLSP and HH-60 Recap contracts.

The Air Force is looking to acquire 205 total helicopters: 93 CVLSP aircraft and 112 choppers to replace the HH-60.

In its fiscal year 2012 budget request, the service called for $758 million for procurement of 22 CVLSP helicopters over the next five years. The HH-60 Recap program is not mentioned in the budget documents, but the Air Force does intend to purchase four HH-60 helicopters in FY-12 as part of its HH-60 Operational Loss Replacement Program at a cost of $144 million.