Navy may narrow TH-XX search

The Navy is seeking a single turbine engine rotary craft that can achieve Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) certification requirements that may potentially limit the field of competitors for the service’s new TH-XX trainer helicopter. The Navy wants to replace its aging fleet of 113 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter-trainers with 105 new helos. Production is tentatively scheduled to begin in FY-2020/21, according to June 1 Request For Proposals published on the Federal Business Opportunities website. Most single-engine helicopters meet Visual Flight Rules (VFR) certification. Only one helo, Leonardo Helicopters' TH-119, a military version of the commercial AgustaWestland AW119Kx, currently meets both requirements. Several other manufacturers are eyeing the TH-XX, but would require significant upgrades for IFR rating-regulations. Bell, Leonardo, Airbus Helicopters, Boeing and Lockheed Martin are among the potential competitors. (Source: Flight Global 07/20/17) Gulf Coast Note: NAS Whiting Field, Fla., houses three helicopter training squadrons (HT-8, 18, 26) that fly the TH-57, and three fixed-wing training squadrons. NASWF accounts for about 14 percent of the Navy’s total flight hours. Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., builds the UH-72A Lakota helicopter for the Army, Navy and National Guard. The primary customer is for Army Aviation training, primarily at Fort Rucker, Ala. The Defense Department has placed more than 410 orders for the UH-72A 411 Lakota.