The Air Force on Friday released a draft proposal to replace its UH-1N fleet, looking to buy 84 new helicopters to patrol missile fields. The draft request for proposals calls for responses by Dec. 16. The Air Force has said it will have a “full and open” competition for the new helicopters. Air Force Materiel Command will hold its second “industry day” Dec. 12-14 to solicit input from contractors, according to the announcement. The service previously held an industry day in September, with representatives from Bell Helicopter, Airbus, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Sikorsky, and GE Aviation, among others, attending. A contract is expected to be awarded in Fiscal 2018. The service wants off-the-shelf replacements that could be delivered quickly after the award is issued.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
