Serviceability rates of up to 99%, flexibility and fixed costs main attraction of scheme
The UK Ministry of Defence's growing reliance on commercially supplied helicopters to support the frontline is set to continue.
Bristow Helicopters operates four Bell 412s from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, under a £45 million ($74 million) a year deal, while competitors area waiting a decision on replacing British Army Westland Lynx AH7s in Northern Ireland (Flight International, 7-13 January).
Better serviceability rates, in one case up to 99%, are one reason for the growing success of the civilian owned, military registered (COMR) programme, says Lt Col John Sherman of the British Army's helicopter integrated project team (IPT). Other advantages include flexibility, an easier upgrade path and fixed costs, avoiding a capitalisation "spike".
The civilian company retains hull insurance risks and sales tax liability, while the UK Civil Aviation Authority retains regulatory oversight of the airframes: a process aimed at easing their return to the civil register.
Helicopter types under consideration as possible upgrades for contracts nearing renewal include the Agusta A109E, used in an earlier variant by army special forces; Bell/Agusta Aerospace AB139; Eurocopter EC135T2, EC145, AS365N3 Dauphin; and Sikorsky S61N.
Although COMR helicopters have no war role, says Sherman, military crewing means they might stray into harm's way. "However, insurance cover for war risks is not so prohibitive," he adds.
IPT projects manager Nick Jones says the four Bristow Bell 412s,in Cyprus and about to undertake desert training in Jordan, will not only take over from a similar number of Royal Air Force Westland Wessexes, but also Army Air Corps Westland Gazelles. "A reduction of four helicopters overall represents significant savings," he adds.
Source: Flight International