U.S. Armys Light Utility Helicopter

Manager433 SG

EADS North America selected to provide U.S. Armys Light Utility Helicopter

UH-145 to be produced in Columbus, Mississippi

Arlington, Virginia, June 30, 2006 EADS North America today announced that the UH-145 military helicopter has been selected by the U.S. Army as its next-generation Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The LUH requirement is for up to 352 aircraft with a potential total program life-cycle value of $3 billion.

http://www.uh-145.com/news/index.htm

Looks like this is the military version of Eurocopter EC 145 rite???????? Shocked

duotiga83 SG

yes it is….USA ver

Fatum SG

only 3 billion for 352 choppers ? ....

I was reading about how the canadians are going to get 16 chinnoks for 2 billion canadian ... plus extra for maintenance till end of life cycle ....

somebody kenna ketok ? .... or the 3 is missing a zero ? .... Laughing

spartan6 SG

It sure look like a EC-145, talking about US stand on copyright huh

tankee1981 SG

Originally posted by spartan6
It sure look like a EC-145, talking about US stand on copyright huh

There is no problem with copyright here. This is because this is the US military version of a helicopter originally designed for civilian use. They always use UH to designate military utility helicopter in the US such as the UH-1H Huey (itself also have a civilian version with another designation)

Originally posted by Fatum
only 3 billion for 352 choppers ? ....

This may not be the case as it is stated in the article that

potential total program life-cycle value of $3 billion.

I personally do not know what it means but guess it to be total cost of maintainence for the life-cycle of all these 352 helicopters. Very Happy

tankee1981 SG

At this point, i will like to bring up on why we didn't get a replacement for the UH-1H which is retired not too long ago. The Fennec is also being retired. Does this mean that we have no need for any light helicopters for both light utility and armed recon missions? Very Happy

Manager433 SG

But I still can hear the rotor sound of UH nearby my house once in a while. Yesterday whole afternoon also can hear.

Shocked

Manager433 SG

Not only we need replacement for our UH-1, our SP will be ageing in a few yrs time.

dork3d SG

It was rumoured in Jane’s Defence that RSAF is looking at Blackhawk variants for its replacement for our Super Pumas? Anyone can verify and ascertain on this?

Manager433 SG

My own views: SP more 'powerfull' than BH. No way RSAF replacing SP with BH.

spartan6 SG

But no every mission need a super puma

tiggersgd SG

SP has a big profile…

duotiga83 SG

to me is a mistake also if they really want to replace with bh.....

touchstone_2000 SG

Hi can elaborate?

touchstone_2000 SG

the tail rotor looks different from Ec 145. IIRC it is wrapped in a shroud?

tankee1981 SG

Actually, externally it looks almost identical to the civilian helicopter, including its tail rotor. Please check out the pics in the site below. Very Happy

http://www.eurocopterusa.com/Product/ec145/EC145.asp

kopiosatu SG

SP has too many roles to play.

it is the helicopter with the most roles in the RSAF.

tankee1981 SG

Originally posted by kopiosatu
SP has too many roles to play.

it is the helicopter with the most roles in the RSAF

Now, there is all the more reason to get a LUH to take over some of Super Puma's roles right? And the Super Puma is also getting on in age and its replacement should be coming in about 10-15 years time, assuming there will be upgrades. Very Happy

kopiosatu SG

then you should write to the government, because i would be a happier person if there were more helicopters to take some jobs off the SPs.

Manager433 SG

carry heavier equipment. More passengers. Longer range ( without external tank ) Rite?