Last week’s news that the UK Ministry of Defence has advanced its New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme to the bidding stage was understandably met with a blend of relief and excitement. As one Airbus communications manager posted on LinkedIn: “At last we’re underway. Big year ahead!”
Big year, indeed. According to the MoD, the NMH programme could award a contract in 2025 – worth a reported £1bn for up to 44 helicopters, with export potential. This “modern medium-lift support helicopter” is intended to replace up to five aircraft types including Puma HC2.
NMH candidate suppliers – Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK – told FINN why they hope to prevail:
“Airbus will offer its H175M helicopter, which it describes as “a high-capability, low-risk solution with outstanding technical and safety specifications, already operating successfully in a range of demanding roles and environments. It will provide exceptional value for money, with low through-life costs and require minimal training time for pilots due to its cockpit commonality with the Airbus helicopters already used to train all UK military pilots.
“If selected by the UK, H175M will be made and serviced in Britain by the H175M Task Force – Airbus, Boeing Defence UK, Babcock, Spirit AeroSystems and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
“Design work will be performed in Belfast, it will be made at Broughton in North Wales, and supported in Scotland and at military bases, creating hundreds of jobs and helping to drive competition and innovation in the UK helicopter industry. It will act as a catalyst for strong export sales, enhancing the UK’s global reputation and bringing hundreds of millions into the economy.
“Airbus Helicopters has a track record of success in delivering for the MoD, a 50 year presence in the UK and cutting edge facilities being continually renewed.”
Leonardo is putting forward the AW149 [main image], which it describes as “a proven, in-service medium multi-role military helicopter, designed this generation for the modern battlefield operations.”
Leonardo has committed that more than 60% of total AW149 production will occur in the UK, at the “home of British helicopters” in Yeovil, Somerset and through its nationwide “Team AW149 UK” supply chain, to create or sustain 1,500 highly skilled jobs and support more than 12,000 helicopters jobs across Leonardo’s established supply chain.
The company adds: “Leonardo in Yeovil is the UK’s only helicopter manufacturer, building military aircraft since 1947. More than 50% of the UK Armed Forces’ current frontline helicopter fleet came from Leonardo’s site in Somerset, which employs 3,300 people.
“Since 2013 Leonardo has generated £6.6 billion in helicopter exports from the UK to customers in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and North Africa, including £1.6 billion in the last 18 months.”
Lockheed Martin’s proposal is Black Hawk, a “proven, 100% military multi-role helicopter, built in the UK by a team of trusted industrial partners.” According to the company, Black Hawk would create and sustain hundreds of high-tech UK jobs, provide new export opportunities for UK companies – and enable UK participation in Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Next Generation Rotorcraft programme.
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson adds: “We welcome the publication of the invitation to negotiate for the New Medium Helicopter competition and will review its contents over the next few weeks. We believe Black Hawk is the best solution for UK Defence and UK industry, delivering a 100% military helicopter used by and interoperable with 35 allied nations, technology transfer, decades of export potential and over 600 jobs to the UK.”
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