In 2021, the UK Department of Defence (DoD) initiated a program to replace Royal Air Force Puma and
Bell 412 helicopters, as well as British Army Bell 212
and AS365 Dauphins. This replacement program aims to fulfill the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement.
The RAF Puma HC.2 helicopters were originally planned for retirement in 2025. These airframes date back to the 1970s, although they extensively upgraded by Eurocopter between 2009 and 2015.
The options available included AceHawk Aerospace offering preowned and upgraded Black Hawk based on the AceDeck VL-60, Airbus ( H175M, H225M), Bell ( Osprey, 525) , Boeing (MH-139), Leonardo (AW149) and Sikorsky (Black Hawk ).
In February 2024, the DoD issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) to three bidders: Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK, and Lockheed Martin UK.
In April 2024, six Airbus H145D3 helicopters were ordered to fill the operational gap in Cyprus and Brunei.
The RAF Puma HC.2 helicopters were originally planned for retirement in 2025. These airframes date back to the 1970s, although they extensively upgraded by Eurocopter between 2009 and 2015.
The options available included AceHawk Aerospace offering preowned and upgraded Black Hawk based on the AceDeck VL-60, Airbus ( H175M, H225M), Bell ( Osprey, 525) , Boeing (MH-139), Leonardo (AW149) and Sikorsky (Black Hawk ).
In February 2024, the DoD issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) to three bidders: Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK, and Lockheed Martin UK.
In April 2024, six Airbus H145D3 helicopters were ordered to fill the operational gap in Cyprus and Brunei.
NMH Contenders
AgustaWestland AW149
25-Feb-24 - Leonardo on UK New Medium Helicopter Invitation #NMH
11-Apr-23 - Leonardo AW149 in UK NMH Tour #UKTour
21-Dec-22 - Leonardo Prepares for “Made in UK” AW149 #AW149
16-Nov-22 - Leonardo Expands Team AW149 UK #AW149UK
18-Jul-22 - Yeovil Prepares to Manufacture the AW149 FIA 2022
03-May-22 - “Unlocking Social Value” at Yevoil
01-Apr-22 - AW149 to be Assembled at Yeovil if Selected by RAF #AW149
19-Feb-22 - AW149 in Weapons Firing Trials #rockets
11-Apr-23 - Leonardo AW149 in UK NMH Tour #UKTour
21-Dec-22 - Leonardo Prepares for “Made in UK” AW149 #AW149
16-Nov-22 - Leonardo Expands Team AW149 UK #AW149UK
18-Jul-22 - Yeovil Prepares to Manufacture the AW149 FIA 2022
03-May-22 - “Unlocking Social Value” at Yevoil
01-Apr-22 - AW149 to be Assembled at Yeovil if Selected by RAF #AW149
19-Feb-22 - AW149 in Weapons Firing Trials #rockets
More News ... | |
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Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk
Airbus H175M
12-Jul-23 - Heli-One Partners H175M for RAF NMH Bid #H175M
06-Mar-23 - Boeing Joins H175M Team for UK NMH Competition Heli-Expo 2023
18-Jul-22 - H175M Task Force for RAF NMH RIAT 2022
08-Sep-21 - Airbus H175M at DSEI 2021 DSEI 2021
06-Mar-23 - Boeing Joins H175M Team for UK NMH Competition Heli-Expo 2023
18-Jul-22 - H175M Task Force for RAF NMH RIAT 2022
08-Sep-21 - Airbus H175M at DSEI 2021 DSEI 2021