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 Department of the Air Force wants to launch a construction boom with its fiscal 2027 budget, more than doubling its request over 2026, according to budget documents.