Army Seeks Input For New ARH Program

Defense Daily, Nov 12, 2008

By Ann Roosevelt

The Army Nov. 7 issued a Sources Sought notice for industry input to meet the requirements for a new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program after terminating the contract with Bell Helicopter Textron [TXT].

The service is reassessing the ARH performance requirements, the notice said.

"Specifically the Army may procure up to 512 new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters with the capability to perform A Hover Out of Ground Effect (HOGE) at 6,000 ft/95 degrees Fahrenheit and operate in an Armed Reconnaissance configuration with required range and endurance."

The helicopter must conduct armed reconnaissance to achieve actionable combat information so joint and combined air-ground maneuver forces can execute mobile strike, close combat and vertical maneuver operations across the full spectrum of military operations.

On Oct. 16, the Army terminated the ARH contract with Bell after cost overruns. Service officials have repeatedly stated that the requirement for a replacement for the OH-58 Kiowa remains valid, and plan to swiftly bring the requirements to a Joint Requirements Oversight Council, likely in January (Defense Daily, Oct. 20).

Industry comments and suggestions are requested no later than Dec. 5 by the Product Manager, ARH.

The notice is not a request for proposals. No contract will be awarded based on the notice, and the government will not pay for information. Proprietary information should be clearly marked. The information is for planning and market research and will not be publicly released.

The product manager requests technical data on a range of issues, to include range, endurance and performance assuming: "2,300 lbs for the following: Mission Equipment Package (ASE w/ IR suppressor, COM/NAV, cockpit display system, sensor, 7 shot rocket pod & .50 cal gun w/ munitions), crew, ballistic tolerant fuel tank, engine barrier filters, and anticipated structural modifications."

Information must also be included on modifications to the assumed performance to extend endurance; and the company's experience in integrating a mission equipment package.

The Army also wants to know how many of the proposed aircraft would fit on a C-5 or C-17, ballistic protection and crashworthiness.

Questions on W58RGZ-09-R-0129 should go to contracting officer James Ganoe, 256-313-4266, e-mail: james.ganoe@peoavn.army.mil.

[Copyright 2006 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]

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