Golden Triangle firms may bid on AF helo

The Air Force has issued a request for proposals for 112 new Combat Rescue Helicopter and interested firms – based on a September industry sign-up sheet – include AgustaWestland, Boeing, Dayton, GE Aviation, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Maritn, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky and EADS North American’s American Eurocopter, which makes SAR and medical helicopters at its Columbus, Miss., plant. However, money-crunchers at the Pentagon have capped the Jan. 3 due date for bids at $6.8 billion which may cause firms to think twice because of past failures in the bidding process. Source: Defense News, Oct. 28, 2012.