Eurocopter Sees Civilian Slackening as Military Rises

20-Jan-2010 17:03 EST  |  Related Stories: Corporate Financials, EADS, Helicopters & Rotary, Industry & Trends

EC725 SAR/SOF
(click to view full)

Eurocopter recently reported its 2009 figures, and offered forecasts for 2010. While Robinson is far and away the leading global helicopter builder by numbers, Eurocopter is generally accepted as the #1 firm when measures include order value, competition across multiple major segments, etc. This makes their fate and forecasts an interesting bellwether for the sector.

In general, the global economic crisis has hammered the civil market for light helicopters, and the firm sees continuing weakness and further production scale-backs in 2010. On the other hand, the firm is seeing a significant uptick in military orders (48% of sales in 2009), thanks to the demands of counter-insurgency warfare, and the natural aging and replacement cycle drive new purchases around the world.

2009 civilian and military orders were placed for 344 production helicopters as follows:

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Brazil’s F-X2 Fighter Competition

11-Jan-2010 13:32 EST  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, BAE, Britain/U.K., Budgets, EADS, Europe - France, Europe - Other, Events, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Pre-RFP, Russia, Spotlight articles, Transformation

Upgraded F-5BR
(click to view full)

Could the words “Brazilian fighter” begin evoking images unrelated to the Gracies? A proposed 50% boost to Brazil’s defense budget could be on its way to accomplishing that, and more. While the Navy and Army are also in line for funds to replace broken-down equipment, the fighters will be a critical centerpiece of the Forca Aerea Brasileira’s efforts. The 36+ aircraft buys under consideration are mostly the same set of 4+ generation fighters that were considered last time: Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale, EADS’ Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 60, Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen NG, and Sukhoi’s SU-35. The Gripen, Rafale, and Super Hornet were picked as finalists, and along the way, the Brazilian competition became much more important to at least one of that trio.

This free-to-view DID Spotlight article covers Brazil’s reborn F-X competition, adds its assessment of their offers’ relative strengths and weaknesses, and covers ongoing events. Before the competition was done, the Brazilian government anointed Dassault’s Rafale as its preferred choice. Then an Air Force evaluation appears to have ranked it dead last. Which has now led to an amended report…

• A Stirring Giant?
• F-X2: The Competition
• Analysis: F-X2, The Competitors
• Updates and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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Brazil Buys Naval Seahawks, Penguins

06-Jan-2010 16:05 EST  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Intent, Helicopters & Rotary, Missiles - Anti-Ship, Other Corporation, Support Functions - Other, United Technologies

USN & Brazilian SH-3s
at TOPEX 1987
(click to view full)

Brazil needs new anti-submarine helicopters to accompany its “AH-11” Super Lynx models, and replace HS-1 Squadron’s aged SH-3A/B Sea Kings. HS-1 bases out of Sao Pedro da Adelia near Rio, and generally serves aboard Brazil’s sole aircraft carrier, NAe Sao Paulo (ex-Foch).

Brazil is standardizing on Eurocopter’s EC725 Cougar as its medium helicopter across all 3 services, but that model doesn’t have a naval/ anti-submarine variant. Brazil could have chosen a comparably-sized naval helicopter like the EH101 Merlin, or the forthcoming NH90 NFH. Instead, they opted for Sikorsky’s smaller S-70B/H-60 Seahawk, which is in wide service around the globe, and offers commonalities with the Brazilian Army’s fleet of S-70/UH-60L Pave Hawk search and rescue aircraft…

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Brazil Buys UH-60L Black Hawks

15-Sep-2009 13:08 EDT  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Contracts - Intent, Engines - Aircraft, GE, Helicopters & Rotary, United Technologies

FAB S-70 in Bolivia
(click to view larger)

Brazil relies heavily on Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter models for its armed forces, and a billion-dollar deal with Eurocopter made the Eurocopter EC725 Cougar Brazil’s standard medium helicopter across all 3 services. Nonetheless, a modified form of the the UH-60’s high-end “Pave Hawk” search and rescue (SAR) variant seems to be carving out its own niche in Brazil. Flown out of Manaus by the Army Avicao do Exercito’s Falcao Negro squadron, and by the Forca Aerea Brazileira’s 7/8 “Harpia” air group, Brazilian S-70 and H-60L helicopters are used in Amazon basin SAR operations, humanitarian relief, and anti-drug efforts.

DSCA requests were submitted in 2007 and 2008; they are not the same thing as signed contracts, but now additional helicopters are being bought, and delivered…

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Brazil Signs $1B+ Production MoU for Cougar Helicopters

08-Sep-2009 17:36 EDT  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, Contracts - Intent, EADS, Europe - France, Europe - Other, Helicopters & Rotary, Industry & Trends, Other Corporation, Russia, Support Functions - Other

French Cougar SAR/SOF
(click to view full)

In November 2007, “Brazil Embarking Upon F-X2 Fighter Program?” discussed both the revived fighter competition, and Brazil’s surprising 50% boost to its defense budget. Other programs mentioned in that article included Brazil’s selection of a medium transport helicopter and of an attack helicopter, with other programs to follow. After decades of neglect, Brazil is reconstituting both its armed forces, and a defense industry that once offered an array of competitive products on the global stage.

The medium transport helicopter competition featured 3 established players: AgustaWestland’s EH101 has found success in Britain, Europe, and Japan, and was chosen as the base for the USA’s VH-71 Presidential helicopter before that program was canceled. Eurocopter’s EC725 Cougar is an updated version of the popular AS332/532 Super Puma, and has been ordered in limited quantities by the French and Mexican governments. An up-to-date version of Russia’s widely used Mi-17 was the 3rd contender; like the Super Puma, Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters are already in wide use within Latin America.

In truth, however, Eurocopter always had an edge. The Brazilian Amy’s Aviacao do Exercito already uses the AS532/”HM-3” Super Puma, basing them in the Amazon at Manaus. Its Navy also uses Super Puma variants: AS332s and AS532s both serve in the Navy as the UH-14, flying from Brazil’s NAe Sao Paulo aircraft carrier and from the southeastern base of Sao Pedro da Aldeia in support of Brazil’s Marines. Now, Eurocopter’s offering will become Brazil’s medium-lift helicopter across all services… thanks to a new contract.

• The Cougar and the Opportunity
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
  
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Mexico Orders 6 EC725 Helicopters

06-May-2009 11:29 EDT  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, Contracts - Awards, EADS, Europe - France, Helicopters & Rotary

EC725 Cougar
(click to view full)

Shephard Group reports that Mexico has become the EC725 Cougar’s 2nd export customer, thanks to a Mexican Ministry of Defense order for 6 helicopters. France currently operates 14 specialized variants of the EC725, a heavily modernized version of the popular Super Puma military helicopter. Brazil became the EC725’s first export customer with a $1.1 billion order for 50 helicopters to equip its Army, Air Force, and Navy.

The medium-lift helicopters will reportedly be used for transport and civil security missions, but these are military helicopters. A recent report adds that they will replace existing Russian machines…

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French Stimulus: 5 More EC725 Helicopters

08-Feb-2009 10:59 EST  |  Related Stories: EADS, Europe - France, Forces - Special Ops, Helicopters & Rotary

EC725, Le Bourget 2007
by David Monniaux
(click to view full)

Thales contracted for self-protection suite. (Feb 4/10)

France’s approach to economic stimulus has had a decidedly military component, with buys ranging from VBCI wheeled armored personnel carriers to a Mistral Class LHD ship. /In April 2009, France added another component of its package: a EUR 220 million contract for 5 more EC725 Caracal helicopters for combat search and rescue, special forces, and medium utility roles, to bring its total fleet to 19.

The EC725 was created when France decided in 1996 that it needed a helicopter designed for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions. At first, they chose the AS532 A2 Super Puma/ Cougar, but after extensive trials, the French Air Force recommended so many changes that it required a new variant. The 11 tonne EC725 SAR variant was born, and made its maiden flight in November 2000. Key characteristics include a fuel load of 3750 liters/ 990 gallons, giving the helicopter a flight time of 5 hours 30 minutes; plus air-to-air refueling capability, a reinforced main gearbox, a new 5-bladed main rotor, a 4-axis autopilot, a homing system for emergency locator beacons, armor plating, and integrated defenses. French Caracal helicopters are fitted with surveillance and targeting turrets, and carry the most modern avionics and navigation equipment. MAG 58 machine guns are also commonly fitted to helicopters, which can also accommodate search lights, winches, and other rescue gear as needed.

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India to Buy 80 Mi-17v5 Helicopters

10-Dec-2008 17:22 EST  |  Related Stories: Asia - India, Contracts - Intent, Helicopters & Rotary, Other Corporation, Russia, United Technologies

Indian Mi-17s
(click to view full)

In October 2006, the Indo-Asian News Service reported that the Indian Air Force will buy 80 medium lift multi-role Mi-17 1V helicopters from Russia. India’s Chief of Air Staff Marshal S.P. Tyagi reportedly told the news agency that the contractual detail would be finalized within a few months, that Russia will start delivering the helicopters in 2007, and that deliveries would finish within a year. MosNews estimated the deal’s value at approximately $662 million, with the exact value depending on ancillary equipment like avionics.

The deal is the result of a dance over time involving both Sikorsky and India’s HAL, and the Mi-17 1V incorporates a few changes to the well-known Mi-17 already in service with India. Of course, “a couple of months” in Indian procurement time turns out to be over 2 years – and in a now-familiar scenario, Russia ended up asking for about double the originally agreed deal terms. Nevertheless, a deal is now done…

• Maneuvering for Position: Offers and Types
• Doing the Deal: Updates and Key Events
  
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India Floats Tender for New Maritime Helicopters

16-Sep-2008 11:52 EDT  |  Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - India, Britain/U.K., EADS, Europe - Other, Helicopters & Rotary, Lockheed Martin, Other Corporation, RFPs, Russia, United Technologies

Italian Navy EH101
(click to view full)

“India’s Navy Holding Maritime Patrol Aircraft Competition” describes India’s growing naval sphere of influence, and the competition for an aircraft that would improve India’s coverage of those territories. A complementary way to improve that coverage is to upgrade the naval helicopters that base from ships or land locations. In September 2008, Flight International reported that India’s defence ministry has issued a tender for “advanced multirole naval helicopters” to several manufacturers around the world, including AgustaWestland, EADS and Sikorsky. Russia’s Kamov/Rosboronexport may well be on this list too; India’s Navy currently uses Kamov Ka-28, Ka-31 AEW, and AgustaWestland Sea King helicopters.

The initial RFP reportedly covers 16 helicopters, with a potential expansion to 60 helicopters. Each manufacturer has choices to make within its line up…

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Let’s Stay Engaged: CH-47D Chinooks for Canada’s Afghan Mission

21-Aug-2008 11:32 EDT  |  Related Stories: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Boeing, Contracts - Intent, Helicopters & Rotary, Issues - Political, Other Corporation, Sensors & Guidance

Afghanistan drop-off
(click to view full)

In December 2005, “Canada Purchases $200M in Equipment for Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan” noted 2 things: the wide variety of emergency equipment that Canada was buying prior to its second Afghan deployment, and the critical omission of battlefield support helicopters from that list. Canada’s absence of helicopter support capability would prove costly in the field, and was discussed again during Canada’s delayed RFP for 16 CH-47F helicopters.

This issue was also discussed in Parliament. The January 2008 Manley Report [PDF] recommended that Parliamentary approval for Canada’s continued participation in the Afghan mission should hinge on having Canadian battlefield transport helicopters available by February 2009. Since Stephen Harper’s current Conservative Party government is a Parliamentary minority government, that recommendation became a de facto requirement.

In order to be useful, however, any helicopters bought would need to deliver useful loads despite Afghanistan’s performance-sapping hot weather season and consistent high altitudes. Which led to the problem: where to get the helicopters? The problem was simple. Available helicopters weren’t adequate. Adequate helicopters weren’t available. Hence the current solution set, which was clarified in a recent political speech…

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