UK looks to protect funding for rapid Watchkeeper UAV replacement

UK looks to protect funding for rapid Watchkeeper UAV replacement
UK looks to protect funding for rapid Watchkeeper UAV replacement

Lt. Gen. Robert Magowan did not elaborate further on the replacement effort but did note that the Watchkeeper retirement will allow the MoD to still save “quite a lot of money” that would otherwise go toward support costs for the aircraft.

Airbus, Lockheed Martin walk away from UK New Medium Helicopter acquisition

Airbus, Lockheed Martin walk away from UK New Medium Helicopter acquisition
Airbus, Lockheed Martin walk away from UK New Medium Helicopter acquisition

The double pullout means Leonardo sits as the sole bidder for the £1 billion ($1.3 billion) program, though the surprise withdrawals could also induce London to re-compete it.

As industry prepares bids, future of UK New Medium Helicopter program unclear

As industry prepares bids, future of UK New Medium Helicopter program unclear
As industry prepares bids, future of UK New Medium Helicopter program unclear

On reports that Lockheed might drop out of the NMH competition, Paul Livingston, Lockheed Martin UK CEO, said media “can report I’m dating Taylor Swift, it doesn’t mean it’s happening.”

UK promises ‘new era’ of defense with launch of strategic review

UK promises ‘new era’ of defense with launch of strategic review
UK promises ‘new era’ of defense with launch of strategic review

London said that the review will be completed “in the first half of 2025” and work is to begin right away, “in recognition of the urgency of the threats” it faces.

UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec

UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec
UK New Medium Helicopter buy reduced to around 30 aircraft: Spirit AeroSystems Exec

The comments are the second time in the span of 10 months that industrial officials have publicly revealed a reduced buy from a max of 44 helos is on the table.

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date
UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

The ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec
UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

“We haven’t seen training requirements and there’s a whole plethora of different chapters that are yet to come, but the MoD has been as good as they can be in drip feeding us information,” said Lenny Brown, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK

UK delays New Medium Helicopter service entry and contract award dates

UK delays New Medium Helicopter service entry and contract award dates
UK delays New Medium Helicopter service entry and contract award dates

New helicopters had been expected to enter service from 2025 onward, but the lack of acquisition targets suggests the birds won’t fly until later.

Leonardo: If UK wants to meet new medium helo target, industry needs design details

Leonardo: If UK wants to meet new medium helo target, industry needs design details
Leonardo: If UK wants to meet new medium helo target, industry needs design details

“Clearly the longer these negotiations take…. the harder it is for any defense contractor to be able to then say that they’ve got a low-risk solution, [especially] if the end date for delivery doesn’t move,” Adam Clarke, managing director at Leonardo Helicopters UK, told Breaking Defense.

UK selects four competitors to fight for New Medium Helicopter contract

UK selects four competitors to fight for New Medium Helicopter contract
UK selects four competitors to fight for New Medium Helicopter contract

Four competitors are left standing in the UK’s New Medium Helicopter program with a future contractor due to reap a lucrative reward of $1.15 billion.