Flight International — 22 August — 4 September 2017

THIS WEEK

8 | Flight International | 22 August-4 September 2017 flightglobal.com

U

S helicopter operator Era

Group has cautioned that it

sees no rapid return to service for

its fleet of nine Airbus Helicop-

ters H225s, despite the type hav-

ing been cleared for operations

by regulators.

In its financial filing for the

quarter ended 30 June, Era says

the type is flying again on oil and

gas missions in only “a handful

of countries in Asia”.

Any “broad-based” restart of

operations will depend on cus-

tomers and passengers having

confidence in the safety measures

mandated by regulators, it says.

“We will not operate the H

helicopters in our fleet unless

and until we can develop a de-

tailed safety case that demon-

strates the H225 model helicopter

can be operated safely.”

Regulators in Norway and the

UK finally lifted long-running

flight bans covering the type on

7 July, nine months after the Eu-

ropean Aviation Safety Agency

rescinded its restriction on the

Super Puma.

These were imposed in the

wake of a fatal crash off Norway’s

west coast on 29 April 2016 in

which 13 people were killed.

Norwegian investigators have

determined that a fault with the

second-stage planet gear was to

blame for the failure of the main

gearbox, but have yet to identify a

root cause for the accident.

In the meantime, Era is contin-

uing to pursue Airbus Helicop-

ters through the US courts, alleg-

ing that it sold H225s with the

full knowledge of a safety issue

with the main gearbox. It argues

that its H225 fleet has lost “sub-

stantial value” since the Norway

crash, on top of costs incurred

from the flight ban.

Airbus Helicopters had previ-

ously denied the allegations but

now declines to comment be-

cause of the ongoing legal action.

The manufacturer faces sepa-

rate claims over the H225 crash

and subsequent grounding from

finance firms ECN Capital (Avia-

tion) and Wells Fargo Bank. ■

A

s the US Air Force was wrap-
ping up its OA-X light-attack
demonstration, the US Special
Operations Command (SOCOM)
released its own solicitation for
an aircraft in the same class.
In late July, SOCOM unveiled
plans to pursue an open-ended
technology effort called light at-
tack support for special opera-
tions (LASSO).
On 11 August, it released the
first LASSO solicitation detailing
technologies of interest, includ-
ing next-generation cockpit
cueing systems, data-linked mu-

nitions and stand-off precision-

guided munitions. The broad

agency announcement empha-

sises the effort is separate from

the USAF’s OA-X experiment.

“This effort should not conflict

with or be confused with any

other light-attack aircraft pro-

gramme or effort,” it states.

SOCOM wants a cockpit cue-

ing system able to designate time-

sensitive targets and provide tar-

get data in real time through

video and imagery. The aircraft

should also integrate encrypted

data link systems.

The LASSO solicitation also

calls for improved sensor capa-

bilities, such as a pod-mounted

sensor with the ability to track

moving targets and beyond-line-

of-sight capability. The 15-20in

(38-50cm) aperture system

should also be able to operate

through fog, smoke, clouds, pre-

cipitation and dust. ■

For more in-depth coverage of the

global rotorcraft sector, go online to:

flightglobal.com/helicopters

US Air Force

Offshore specialist is taking legal action against Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters

A

recent report claiming the
USA has vetoed the transfer
of critical technology for the
Lockheed Martin F-16 to India is
erroneous, the US Air Force and
the aircraft manufacturer insist.
New Delhi is searching for a
new single-engined fighter to re-
capitalise the Indian air force’s
ageing fleet. In June, Lockheed
signalled that it would shift F-
production to the country, in
partnership with Tata Advanced
Systems, if the type was selected.
But a recent news story, quot-
ing the Indian defence minister,
suggested that the USA had since
rowed back from the move.
However, both parties on the
US side insist the issue is still
being negotiated.
Lockheed says: “Government-
to-government discussions be-
tween India and the USA are on-
going. No decisions have been
made yet regarding technology
transfer.”
In 2015, the USA denied South
Korea’s request for the transfer of
various technologies for the KF-X
fighter being developed by Korea
Aerospace Industries. ■

ROTORCRAFT DOMINIC PERRY LONDON

H225 safety doubts prevent

broad-based return, says Era

Operator cites customer and passenger worries as its Super Puma fleet remains grounded

FIGHTERS
LEIGH GIANGRECO
WASHINGTON DC

Lockheed plays

down India F-

technology row

REQUIREMENT LEIGH GIANGRECO WASHINGTON DC

US special forces are snared by LASSO concept

Beechcraft AT-6 is one of

four participants in OA-X