US CSAR Competition: And Boeing Makes 3…

US101 Concept(click to view full) Back on June 13, 2005, while covering the “US101” EH-101 variant’s approval as the next US Presidential helicopter, DID noted that the rivals for this bid (Lockheed’s “US101” and Sikorsky’s H-92 Superhawk) would likely be squaring off again for an $11-12 billion contract to provide the USA’s next generation Combat Search And Rescue helicopter. Lockheed is firm on its European EH101 platform, while Sikorsky would eventually announce the HH-92 Superhawk as its contender in February 2006. In September of 2005, Boeing entered the fray, on two fronts. Its choices left its rivals in a difficult competitive position, and even though one of those options was withdrawn before the end of the contest, Boeing’s HH-47 would eventually win it all and fly off with a contract estimated at $10 billion for 145 aircraft. The post below chronicles the CSAR-X competition, which had at least as many complications and happenings as the missions Boeing’s aircraft will execute. * The Program * The Competitors * Boeing’s Two Wild Cards * Sikorsky’s Choices * Additional Readings & Sources: The CSAR-X (PRV) Program * Additional Readings & Sources: The Competitors The CSAR-X Program HH-60G Pave Hawk The HH-60 Black Hawk […]