The search for a new fixed-wing SAR aircraft for the RCAF has been delayed again... this time at the request of the 'industry' who asked for more time to prepare their bids.
The RCAF has been looking to replace its fixed-wing Buffalo aircraft, which were purchased in 1967, since 2004. The bidding process has been started and postponed several since since then. Bids we originally due September 28, 2015, with a contract to be awarded at some point in 2016, and deliveries taking place by 2023.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, the RCAF have extended the bidding process to January 11, 2016 at the request of the industry. The RCAF did not say which companies have asked for the extension. Earlier this year Lockheed-Martin was concerned their C-130J Super Hercules was too large to fit the requirements of the RCAF FWSAR program, and considered not bidding - so perhaps the extension is being granted for Lockheed-Martin if they choose to bid anyway. Boeing-Bell have announced that they will not bid with the V-22 Osprey, even though they believe it is the best suited for SAR.
Several companies have been interested in the contract, and have been ready for several years, just waiting for an opportunity to bid. To see which companies are expected to bid, please see my original post when the bidding process was re-opened earlier this year. RCAF Hopeful for New SAR
Showing posts with label C-130J Super Hercules. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C-130J Super Hercules. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Lockheed Martin C-130J to too large for RCAF FWSAR?
Bids for the replacement of the RCAF's 40 year old Buffalo fixed wing search and rescue (FWSAR) aircraft are due in September 2015, and Lockheed Martin has not yet decided whether or not to offer a bid on the project.
Alenia (offering their C-27J Spartan) and Airbus (offering their C295) are both keen to have their bids for the project. Both have been advertising their perspective aircraft for years to industry experts.
It is not because of the two competitors that Lockheed Martin might not bid, but the size of their C-130J Hercules aircraft. Lockheed Martin is currently going over the 4,000 page request from the Canadian Government and the RCAF for operational requirements.
Many inside Lockheed Martin feel the size of the C-130J will disqualify it from the competition, and when millions of dollars go into investing in a competition, one wants their aircraft to have a legitimate change at winning the bid. Both the C-27J Spartan and C295 are considerably smaller aircraft, which would give them a higher level of manoeuvrability in the mountainous regions of Canada where the FWSAR would be expected to operate.
So, at the moment, Lockheed Martin, has not yet decided to enter a bid into the FWSAR project.
Alenia (offering their C-27J Spartan) and Airbus (offering their C295) are both keen to have their bids for the project. Both have been advertising their perspective aircraft for years to industry experts.
It is not because of the two competitors that Lockheed Martin might not bid, but the size of their C-130J Hercules aircraft. Lockheed Martin is currently going over the 4,000 page request from the Canadian Government and the RCAF for operational requirements.
Many inside Lockheed Martin feel the size of the C-130J will disqualify it from the competition, and when millions of dollars go into investing in a competition, one wants their aircraft to have a legitimate change at winning the bid. Both the C-27J Spartan and C295 are considerably smaller aircraft, which would give them a higher level of manoeuvrability in the mountainous regions of Canada where the FWSAR would be expected to operate.
So, at the moment, Lockheed Martin, has not yet decided to enter a bid into the FWSAR project.
Monday, February 9, 2015
RCAF Hopeful for New SAR planes
It has been more than 10 years since it was announced that the Canadian Governent would being looking at options to replace the DeHavilland CC-115 Buffalo aircraft used on the West Coast as Search and Rescue (SAR) planes for nearly 50 years!
But, hold your breath, that doesn't mean the Buffalo can retire yet - it will mass the half-a-centrury of service mark before new aircraft are purchased and delivered to the RCAF.
The RCAF is hopeful that Treasury Board will follow its schedule, which it currently plans on February 19, to send the bidding request to aerospace corporations for the estimated $3.1 Billion program.
With the looming Federal Election, do not expect a purchase announcement this year - even the aerospace industry knows this - but they have been ready for years and are just waiting for the official invitation to start bidding.
Alenia Aermacchi is pushing the C-27J Spartan which can be seen here at its Canadian website - painted in Canadian SAR colors to show why it is the best fit.
Airbus Military is pushing its C295 which can be seen here describing why they believe it is the best fit for Canada.
Lockheed Martin is promoting the C-130J Super Hercules (of which Canada already owns previous models)
Look for all of these companies to begin heavy lobbying for their aircraft - this has been in the planning since 2004 - and all three will push hard - and other companies may want to join the party.
But, hold your breath, that doesn't mean the Buffalo can retire yet - it will mass the half-a-centrury of service mark before new aircraft are purchased and delivered to the RCAF.
The RCAF is hopeful that Treasury Board will follow its schedule, which it currently plans on February 19, to send the bidding request to aerospace corporations for the estimated $3.1 Billion program.
With the looming Federal Election, do not expect a purchase announcement this year - even the aerospace industry knows this - but they have been ready for years and are just waiting for the official invitation to start bidding.
Alenia Aermacchi is pushing the C-27J Spartan which can be seen here at its Canadian website - painted in Canadian SAR colors to show why it is the best fit.
Airbus Military is pushing its C295 which can be seen here describing why they believe it is the best fit for Canada.
Lockheed Martin is promoting the C-130J Super Hercules (of which Canada already owns previous models)
Look for all of these companies to begin heavy lobbying for their aircraft - this has been in the planning since 2004 - and all three will push hard - and other companies may want to join the party.
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| C295 |
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| C-130J Super Hercules |
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| C-27J Spartan |
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