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Puma HC1
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Back in August 2006, “Britain to Privatize Battlefield Support Helicopters?!?” discussed one of the most unusual public-private proposals we’ve ever seen. The question before the Ministry of Defense was how to replace Britain’s Sea King and its 34 Puma HC1 medium helicopters, which entered service during the 1960s and 1970s. Complaints about the lack of battlefield helicopter support have become acute in Britain, resulting in temporary fixes like buying 6 operational Danish EH101 helicopters and paying the cost of refit plus future replacements – about GBP 176 million total.

The longer term roadmap remains uncertain – but an announcement by Eurocopter as part of the 2007 DSEi defense show turned out to be the path forward, as Britain formally abandoned its public-private partnership proposal. It would take almost 2 more years before that resulted in a contract, which is now leading to sub-contracts. Including the helicopters’ defensive systems…

Contracts & Key Events

Wear n’ tear
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Oct 13/09: As part of their modernization, Britain’s 28 upgrades Pumas will receive a defensive suite from Finmeccanica subsidiary SELEX Galileo. The upgrade will be based on the firm’s HIDAS system. Their Defensive Aids Suite controller (also known as Aircraft Gateway Processor) has been installed in the RAF’s CH-47 Chinooks, and equips AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters operated by the USA and allies, including Britain. A multi-function color display which will warn crews of threats, increase situational awareness and will have the ability to record mission data for post-flight analysis. Shephard Rotorhub | HIDAS datasheet [PDF].

Sept 29/09: The UK Ministry of Defence announces GBP 300 million (currently $476 million) in contracts to upgrade 28 of the RAF’s Puma HC1 helicopters, with options for another 2, for up to 30/34 existing helicopters. Deliveries are due to start in 2011, and the first 14 aircraft are planned to be in service by the end of 2012. The overall contract will run until 2014.

Around GBP 45 million will be spent on new Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, which power AS 332/532 Super Pumas. It’s a slightly lower-performing option than the similar Makila 1A2, but still offers 35% more power and 25% better fuel efficiency than the Puma fleet’s current Turbomeca Turmo 3-C4s. A GBP 220 million contract to Eurocopter will refurbish the fleet for at least 10 years’ further service, including new flight control equipment and modern cockpit and communications technology. The remaining GBP 35 million will be spent on other contracts in support of the upgrade.

EADS’ Eurocopter UK is the prime contractor for the Puma Life Extension Programme, and their release lists its total value to them as GBP 220 million. UK sub-contractors include:

• Chelton at Yatton near Bath
• QinetiQ at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire
• Rockwell Collins in South Wales
• Selex at Luton
• Smiths in Gloucester
• Thales UK at Raynes Park, London and Leicester
• Turbomeca

Nov 22/07: Britain formally withdraws the public-private partnership proposal for battlefield support helicopters [PDF]. This paragraph from the EDA bulletin board solicitation may offer some clarity re: likely foci for future Puma upgrades and support measures, however:

“The primary task is Battlefield Lift, with the contractor being expected to provide, install, modify and certify the aircraft with necessary role equipment, including a Defensive Aids System, Ballistic Protection and Military Communications before the operational ISD and then (at the end of the lease period) remove such modifications. The aircraft will also be expected to undertake medical evacuation and communication support duties overseas and in the UK. The aircraft will need to be capable of single pilot IFR operations including within civil controlled airspace, and be fully compatible with UK Night Vision Goggles. The aircraft will be operated by military crews in accordance with JSP550. Prior to the In-Service Date and during the life of the requirement the contractor shall be responsible for Aircrew Conversion to Type training, familiarisation training for surveillance operators and training of the Authority’s maintainers.”

Sept 27/07: Eurocopter and the UK MoD formally opened a Joint Project Office (JPO) to manage the Puma life extension program, located adjacent to MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol. The JPO is staffed by personnel from Eurocopter and the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organization. Subject to satisfactory completion and approval, will move on to manage the Development and Manufacture phase in 2008.

The JPO will also manage the Puma and Gazelle Through-Life Support (TLS) program. EADS release.

Sept 12/07: “Eurocopter leads Homeland Security Market in the United Kingdom and strongly supports the British Armed Forces” covers a number of related subjects:

“Under contract to the UK Ministry of Defence, Eurocopter is carrying out the assessment phase for the life extension programme for the RAF’s fleet of Puma Mk1 helicopters with the aim of enhancing the British Armed Forces’ much-needed medium-lift capability. It is managed by a Eurocopter/Ministry of Defence Joint Project Office, already in operation in Bristol since August 20, 2007. The programme will be based on comprehensive upgrades, including new Turbomeca Makila engines, glass cockpits, and new communications, navigation and defensive systems for up to 35 of the RAF’s Pumas.

The new Pumas, which will be designated Puma HC Mk2, will consequently be capable of remaining in service until around 2022. Their performance and payload will be significantly enhanced, particularly in hot and high conditions. As the backbone of the RAF’s fleet of medium-lift helicopters, the Pumas will continue to play a vital role in operational theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Additional Readings

• RAF – Puma HC1