The US Army has revealed that the same three contenders it selected for Phase 2 of the Flight School Next (FSN) selection Bell, Lockheed Martin and M1 have all been selected to continue to Phase 3 of the four phase selection process. Phase 3 requires the bidders to submit a full Commercial Solution Proposal as set out in the original Call for Solutions (C4S) published last year.
While the primary field remains stable at three the aircraft element has been cut to two with Lockheed Martin announcing that, like M1, it is proposing Robinson’s R66 as the aircraft platform for its bid. A decision that comes as little surprise at RotorHub International since we suggested this might be on the cards in January (click HERE for story). According to the Lockheed Martin announcement, Robinson will supply an undisclosed, but the expectation is 200 to 220, R66NxGs R66 NxG along with spare‑parts, technical support and a dedicated training‑services package.
Speaking about the R66NxG decision Todd Morar, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions, Lockheed Martin said “Our selection of Robinson brings a safe, proven and innovative platform to the table. We are fully committed to getting this right for the Army—investing the time, expertise and technology needed to accelerate IERW training and ensure aviators are prepared for their next mission”.
Reflecting on the choice of the R66 by two bidders Robinson CEO David Smith said “We are proud to be selected by Lockheed Martin as the platform of choice for the Army’s next primary trainer, a decision that aligns mission requirements with fiscal reality. The R66 offers a modern, American-made solution that ensures readiness at a fraction of the current cost. Its simple, responsive flight characteristics are crucial for mastering the fundamental stick-and-rudder skills necessary for any situation, ensuring we can support the Army’s stringent criteria for Flight School Next.”
Team M1 which besides M1 Services as the prime and Robinson as the aircraft supplier includes General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), Quantum Helicopters, and the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF) is equally happy to advance “We are proud to have multiple proposals selected to advance to Phase III,” said George Krivo, Chairman and CEO of M1. “This is M1’s top priority. Every day we work to further refine and improve our solution to ensure the Army can produce more proficient Army Aviators in an efficient, effective, and innovative manner.”
While the scope of the requirement for FSN is far wider that the provision of aircraft that is what much of the promotional activities of the bidders is coming down to to with on the one hand the virtues of the R66 being advanced on the one hand supported in no little part by the current IERW test programme operated by Helicopter Institute and on the other Bell making much of the 505’s qualities as a training aircraft together with the company’s long history with Army aviation. “Our team is proud and excited to move on to the next phase of Flight School Next,” said John Novalis, strategic director of flight school next, Bell. “This next phase is a critical point in the competition and Bell along with our teammates are ready to demonstrate what we believe is the most cost-effective and low-risk solution for the Army’s next-generation flight training programme.”
Even as the selection moves on to its penultimate phase there remains the timeline fly in the onitment in that, as we reported in January Congress is yet to sign off on the funding for the programme until “the results of a trial are known” we take to be the current IERW project (Initial Entry Rotary Wing) by Team CTI (Crew Training International and Helicopter Institute). That trial calls for six classes to pass through the programme while the first four groups have completed and go on to the next stages of flight training and the fifth class is due to join them shortly the final tranche are not due to graduate until April.
Since all graduates will have had to progress through the next stages of training for an accurate assessment of the effectiveness of the trial, a funding sign off decision may be delayed until the late summer by which time legislators minds may be more focussed on November’s Mid-Term elections than a line in the National Defense Authorisation Act.
Image: Robinson/Lockheed Martin
For more of our coverage of FSN Click HERE and HERE
