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Lack of will...Or not enough money to replace in the numbers we need now, so instead spend 65 percent or so to upgrade.
Lack of will...Or not enough money to replace in the numbers we need now, so instead spend 65 percent or so to upgrade.
Are we not doing the same thing with the Twin Otters except that theyre a little olderWhy are we rebuilding 30 year old helicopters when we have the capacity in Canada to build new replacements for them?
Build new helicopters…Why are we rebuilding 30 year old helicopters when we have the capacity in Canada to build new replacements for them?
New program isn't authorized yet - so you get life extension programs.Build new helicopters…
generating employment for workers throughout Ontario and Quebec (with various suppliers throughout the country, I’m sure)…
that could be built with the improvements that have long been identified…
that results in a younger fleet, with higher performance, and good for recruiting and PR? (much needed right now)
…
Because that would make sense. That’s why. (And as much as I genuinely hate to say it, I’m probably right.)
(If we drop the woke hippy crap, we could probably sell off a decent chunk of the current fleet & offset the cost of the new fleet. These aren’t terribly expensive machines.)
Bell will charge more than the original purchase of all 100 helicopters, and they don’t have to actually manufacture any new aircraft. In business that’s called “significantly increased margin…”. Company executives (and shareholders) like that.Build new helicopters…
generating employment for workers throughout Ontario and Quebec (with various suppliers throughout the country, I’m sure)…
that could be built with the improvements that have long been identified…
that results in a younger fleet, with higher performance, and good for recruiting and PR? (much needed right now)
…
Because that would make sense. That’s why. (And as much as I genuinely hate to say it, I’m probably right.)
(If we drop the woke hippy crap, we could probably sell off a decent chunk of the current fleet & offset the cost of the new fleet. These aren’t terribly expensive machines.)
Take the name plate off the current machine and attach it to a new airframe, voila "Rebuilt"New program isn't authorized yet - so you get life extension programs.
A Civilian 412 isn't expensive (relatively) - but when you add .mil stuff on them, the price tends to jump.
You can't just sell the Griffons as you need to strip all the ITAR stuff out of them first.
I am absolutely not a fan of the Griffon, I thought it was a terrible buy when the preferred option was the vastly superior UH-60.
But the poorly thought out (for the CAF) pork barrel politics won.
IF the RCAF is tracking FVL - then the Life Extension makes sense - but seeing as the CAF doesn't have a seat on FVL - I just cry.
The US has I think learned from the F-35 that putting all of their eggs in one basket, and one product, isn’t the wisest of ideas.
Get the rebuild out of the way now so Bell can use the facility to build subassemblies for the V-280 (if they win the contract, which I think they will). The U.S. V-280's will have to be assembled in the U.S. but for the size of orders they are likely to get from FVL they will need the all space they can get for manufacturing subassemblies. If Bell times it right when the Griffon life extension work is winding down the V-280 work will be gearing up. When we need to start replacing the Griffon we can ask very nicely for a few frames here and there out of the production line.
Even if Bell doesn't win FVL they will try to sell the V-280 globally. Hopefully we will take some. The Defiant will be a non starter here as Boeing and Sikorsky are bad words on parliament hill right now. No politician will want to be associated with either for a long while. Boeing was clearly sent that message this week with the F-18 being disqualified from the fighter buy.
I hope someone in Bell thinks as strategically as you do.The future of Bell in Canada depends on whether it can develop a new utility helicopter that could fill the market gap. How many countries like us have old utility rotary wing aircraft that need replacing but FVL options are too new/expensive. Can Bell design a military helicopter? Sub in some existing hardware from Canada (L3, the usual suspects).
Not many contenders in that market, we could sell something...
The helicopters Bell produces are quite compatible with the fiscal, technical and training restraints of many nations. The biggest hurdle for Bell is getting approval for international military sales.The future of Bell in Canada depends on whether it can develop a new utility helicopter that could fill the market gap. How many countries like us have old utility rotary wing aircraft that need replacing but FVL options are too new/expensive. Can Bell design a military helicopter? Sub in some existing hardware from Canada (L3, the usual suspects).
Not many contenders in that market, we could sell something...
Need to avoid situations like this: Philippines to cancel $233 million helicopter deal with CanadaThe helicopters Bell produces are quite compatible with the fiscal, technical and training restraints of many nations. The biggest hurdle for Bell is getting approval for international military sales.
And the federal government not screwing things up…The helicopters Bell produces are quite compatible with the fiscal, technical and training restraints of many nations. The biggest hurdle for Bell is getting approval for international military sales.
In a bizarre turn of events, the Philippines has cancelled a contract for 16 Bell Helicopter 412EPIs for its air force just days after revealing the deal at the Singapore air show.
The cancellation was ordered by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after the Canadian government – which had backed the deal for the Montreal-built aircraft – ordered a review into the acquisition.
Ottawa was concerned that Manila's air force planned to use the medium-twins for offensive operations, rather than utility transport missions, according to the government-run Philippine News Agency.
A letter officially cancelling the order was issued on 13 February; Bell unveiled the deal – actually signed in December 2017 – on 6 February.
If Bell doesn't win or get a split award of 280, it's toast.Get the rebuild out of the way now so Bell can use the facility to build subassemblies for the V-280 (if they win the contract, which I think they will). The U.S. V-280's will have to be assembled in the U.S. but for the size of orders they are likely to get from FVL they will need the all space they can get for manufacturing subassemblies. If Bell times it right when the Griffon life extension work is winding down the V-280 work will be gearing up. When we need to start replacing the Griffon we can ask very nicely for a few frames here and there out of the production line.
Even if Bell doesn't win FVL they will try to sell the V-280 globally. Hopefully we will take some. The Defiant will be a non starter here as Boeing and Sikorsky are bad words on parliament hill right now. No politician will want to be associated with either for a long while. Boeing was clearly sent that message this week with the F-18 being disqualified from the fighter buy.
A lot of FMA/FMS of older UH-60's will cascade once FVL hits - so trying to sell a new bird to others not planning on FVL will be a rough go - as you can't compete with free FMA birds, or super cheap FMS sales of retired airframes.The future of Bell in Canada depends on whether it can develop a new utility helicopter that could fill the market gap. How many countries like us have old utility rotary wing aircraft that need replacing but FVL options are too new/expensive. Can Bell design a military helicopter? Sub in some existing hardware from Canada (L3, the usual suspects).
Not many contenders in that market, we could sell something...
If Bell doesn't win or get a split award of 280, it's toast.
The UK, AUS and anyone else watching FVL are going to want the winner - and for those with histories with Sikorsky in the 60, they will want to likely retain the link.
280 sales are going to be limited anyway due to what is in the airframe - it isn't a commercial bird - it is a purpose dedicated craft for the US Army - 5I's are going to be able to buy - after that the rest of NATO - but outside of that nope.
A lot of FMA/FMS of older UH-60's will cascade once FVL hits - so trying to sell a new bird to others not planning on FVL will be a rough go - as you can't compete with free FMA birds, or super cheap FMS sales of retired airframes.
Neither Bell nor Sikorsky is going to lose any sleep about 85-100 airframe to Canada.
Bell in Mirable isn't going to get authorized by the parent to try to do anything on the R&D front for a new bird -- that is strictly a Civilian Line - the parents build .MIL birds down here.