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Posted (edited)

No, don't just make threats.

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/norway-threatens-cancellation-of-nh90-helicopter-contract-over-upgrade-delays/147436.article

Edit: Another article that's not behind a paywall like the previous one, but you have to make due with a translator: https://forsvaretsforum.no/forsvarsministeren-helikopter-nh90/forsvarsministeren-norge-vurderer-a-droppe-nh90-helikoptrene/245557

Edited by Laser Shark
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Josh said:

Didn't Australia recently ditch its fleet of the same platform?

They’re currently planning on replacing them with Blackhawks, yes. The Swedes are losing patience with their NH90s too, and are reportedly looking into the possibility of replacing theirs with Seahawks and more Blackhawks. I think more will follow since it's now becoming apparent - even to the most stubborn and/or thick headed of bureaucrats - that we've all fallen prey to sunk cost fallacy, and  that the NH90 will never be able to deliver on its promises/the amount of flight hours that is required of it.

Edited by Laser Shark
Posted (edited)

They seem excessively complex, expensive helicopters but i don't know why they are that way. Italians can get 50% of their line available while the French are in 30's. So i don't know.

Germans who made them too seem to want to continue with it.

Edited by lucklucky
Posted
1 hour ago, lucklucky said:

They seem excessively complex, expensive helicopters

There’s that, but to make matters worse, every country was allowed to run amok with the customization of their own variant, which not only slows down production, but also adds difficulty when it comes to supplying everyone with spares.

Posted
13 hours ago, Laser Shark said:

There’s that, but to make matters worse, every country was allowed to run amok with the customization of their own variant, which not only slows down production, but also adds difficulty when it comes to supplying everyone with spares.

That would do it.

Posted

If it were up to legislators, lawyers, and procurement officials, we'd still be living in caves.

 

Posted
23 hours ago, Laser Shark said:

There’s that, but to make matters worse, every country was allowed to run amok with the customization of their own variant, which not only slows down production, but also adds difficulty when it comes to supplying everyone with spares.

I think that is a very poor excuse.

Why that do no happen with UH60 and many other helicopters also with many variations, versions?

Posted
2 hours ago, lucklucky said:

I think that is a very poor excuse.

It’s not the only issue, but it exacerbates an already bad situation. It’s not an excuse either. The manufacturer can and should put their foot down when a potential buyer starts requesting too much tinkering with their design, or at the very least be realistic and honest about the consequences of doing so. That NHI swallowed more than they could chew, and are now in a situation where Norway and other countries are well within their right to terminate the contract, is entirely on them. They are caught in a web of their own broken promises.

2 hours ago, lucklucky said:

Why that do no happen with UH60 and many other helicopters also with many variations, versions?

How different are all of these these UH60 variants vs the NH90? Some user customization is to be expected, but it’s also possible to overdo it, and that seems to be the case with the NH90. Also, has there ever been multiple UH60 variants in production at the same time (and at a point where not even the base design could be considered mature)?

Other than that, I imagine that Sikorsky probably can/will devote more of its production capacity than the competing helicopter manufacturers that makes up NHI, and who also happens to have their own products that are direct competitors to the NH90...

Posted
28 minutes ago, Dawes said:

Does Sweden actually need Seahawks?

They apparently wanted nine ASW NH90, so presumably they'll want Seahawks for that role.

Posted
On 2/12/2022 at 2:04 AM, Laser Shark said:

There’s that, but to make matters worse, every country was allowed to run amok with the customization of their own variant, which not only slows down production, but also adds difficulty when it comes to supplying everyone with spares.

Yes, the idea was that it's super-customizable, and at the same time spare pooling will keep the operating costs. Nobody apparently figured out beforehand that those characteristics are incompatible.

  • 3 months later...
Posted

IIRC Norwegian Bell 412 pilots do have some experience with flying Blackhawks since parts of their training programme takes place in the US. It’s also one of the leading candidates to replace the Bell 412s in the Army & SOF role, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if both types are ordered at the same time.

Posted
On 2/13/2022 at 5:17 AM, Dawes said:

Does Sweden actually need Seahawks?

We have one of the worlds longest coastlines and more islands in our archepelago that any other country in the world. Only Norway & Finland comes close in the total number of islands. Sweden, Finland and Norway combined have ~80% of all the islands in the world.

 

So yes.

Posted
4 hours ago, Dawes said:

I wonder if Norway will get their money back?

It's Norway, they can just buy the whole NH Industries, ship it in the central Atlantic Ocean, and throw it overboard.

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