OTTAWA - The Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor is no longer in the running for Canada's fixed-wing search-and-rescue program, Aviation Week reports. Speaking at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida, Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison said part of the problem is the way the Canadian government funds search-and-rescue programs. Fixed-wing SAR assets are funded by the central government, while rotary-wing assets are funded by provincial governments. Filling both roles would complicate matters for the V-22, according to Garrison.
The V-22 was never considered a frontrunner in the program, and Forecast International has long-held that the aircraft's higher costs would be prohibitive for the Canadian government. Canada has already canceled or delayed a host of acquisition programs due to a lack of funding.
The program, suffering from years of repeated delays, will eventually replace six CC-115 Buffalo and 13 C-130H Hercules aircraft used for SAR missions. The original requirements were reportedly scrapped over allegations of favoritism for the C-27J Spartan - as early as 2009, the government appeared ready to award a contract for C-27Js without the hassle of a competition. Despite intentions of releasing a final RFP in 2014, however, a formal solicitation has yet to appear. The top aircraft on the list of potential replacements are the Alenia C-27J Spartan, Airbus C-295, and Lockheed Martin C-130J.
Source: Aviation Week
Associated URL:
http://aviationweek.com/
Author: S. McDougall, North America Analyst
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