US and Europe fight for copter deal

THE battle to build the next fleet of US Presidential helicopters has intensified with the unveiling by America's Sikorsky of a new model designed to stop Europe's AgustaWestland stealing the deal.

At stake is an initial $1.6bn (£870m) contract from the US Navy to cover design and initial purchase of between 23 and 25 aircraft for the Presidential fleet. Beyond that, however, could be billions of dollar more in orders of helicopters for the US Coast Guard, Air Force and Department of Homeland Security, plus probable foreign sales.

Sikorsky, which has been supplying the Presidential fleet since 1957, said its new model, with an extended main cabin, represented an 'All American' solution, reducing security risks.

AgustaWestland, a joint venture between GKN and Italy's Finmeccanica, is trying to make its aircraft as American as possible.

It has changed the name to the US101 from the EH101 and has entered into a joint manufacturing deal with Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter. It is also working hard to source at least 65% of the components from US suppliers.