The contest to win key South Korean contracts has begun

South Korea has opened competitions to select suppliers of major components for its indigenous Korean Multirole Helicopter (KMH), including avionics and engines. Bids are to be submitted by the end of July, with Seoul asking interested foreign companies to propose workshare arrangements with local partners. Between 50-90% of each component will be manufactured in South Korea under the requirement.

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) last week briefed manufacturers on 18 components, including the auxiliary power unit, drivetrain, engine, flight control computer, fuel pumps, fuel tanks, gearbox, hydraulic pumps, landing gear and rotor blades, hub and control systems.

Industry sources say several Western engine manufacturers, including General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Turbomeca, seek to supply the powerplant for the twin-engined KMH, which will weigh 5,900-6,800kg (13,000-15,000lb). The winner is required to hand Samsung Techwin, South Korea's only aeroengine company, at least half the production workshare, including engine assembly.

The KARI has not yet set power requirements, but the engine must have a life cycle of at least 6,000h, be equipped with full-authority digital control, support single-engine flights and be capable of high-altitude restarts. The first engine must be delivered in April 2007, three years ahead of the KMH's projected entry into service.

South Korea's Agency for Defence Development (ADD) also briefed potential manufacturers last week on KMH avionics, plus mission equipment packages and integration. The ADD and KARI will select a Korean and a foreign company for each piece for which they have responsibility and determine how much work can be done locally.

Airframe manufacturers have been asked to submit proposals, including significant workshare for KMH prime contractor Korea Aerospace Industries, to the KMH programme office by 15 June (Flight International, 23-29 March). AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Eurocopter, Kaman, Sikorsky and a Russian consortium are bidding.

Some of these manufacturers have urged South Korea to delay selecting components until after an airframe has been chosen, and warn the programme could suffer integration problems if it moves forward as scheduled.

BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE

 

Source: Flight International