Sikorsky won't sue over lost $70bn deal to replace 3,200 Apache and Black Hawk helicopters

Bell has won a tender to produce the V-280 Valor convertible helicopter for the US Army, which needs the next-generation Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) helicopter. Lockheed Martin and Boeing submitted a complaint, but it was rejected. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, said it has no plans to go to court.

Here's What We Know

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) dismissed a complaint in which Lockheed Martin and Boeing claimed that their Defiant X helicopter was a more suitable and profitable offering for the US Army. Sikorsky representatives still believe that their development is superior to that of a competitor, but they do not plan to go to court.

Instead, Sikorsky will focus on developing a new aircraft for the US Army under the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme. Flight tests of the first prototypes are expected to begin in fiscal year (FY) 2024, and development will continue through FY2026. Sikorsky will also continue to maintain the Black Hawk helicopter.

As for the FLAAR project, it aims to replace 3,200 Apache and Black Hawk helicopters. Bell will get $1.3 billion to develop the V-280 Valor helicopter and $7 billion to launch small-scale production. The total cost of the project could reach $70bn.

Source: Defense News