Babcock, Martin-Baker, Pratt & Whitney and Spirit AeroSystems Join H175M Task Force

(26 July 2022, 11:44 +07)  Airbus Helicopters has confirmed that Babcock International, Martin-Baker, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Spirit AeroSystems have joined the H175M Task Force as strategic partners.

The task force is an UK-based team created to offer, supply and support the British-produced H175M helicopter for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirements.

Lenny Brown, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the UK, said, “These agreements, signed with some of the most respected aerospace companies in the UK and internationally are a clear sign of the robustness and enduring value to the nation of our proposal. If selected the H175M Task Force will create hundreds of new jobs and sustain thousands more throughout the UK rotary supply chain in the years ahead. The H175M has the potential to reinvigorate the UK’s helicopter industry by addressing an export market estimated at nearly 500 aircraft worldwide.”

Airbus H175M. Picture by Lloyd Horgan

Defence and helicopter specialist Babcock will fulfill the critical role of support partner for the H175M in UK service at military operating locations.

Martin Baker, based in Denham, Middlesex, with more than 70 years of aerospace experience, will provide specialist troop seating and cabin integration services.

In Belfast, Northern Ireland and Prestwick, Scotland Spirit AeroSystems, already an Airbus partner on the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft, will undertake extensive detailed design and manufacturing activities on the H175M.

In addition, Pratt & Whitney Canada, is formally partnering the team for which it supplies and supports the PT6C-67E turboshaft engines from its market family of powerplants.

Further partners and suppliers from across the UK are expected to be announced as the bid progresses based on the H175M helicopter to be produced at Broughton, North Wales.

“We are delighted to be working with Airbus Helicopters in its effort to supply the Ministry of Defence with new H175M helicopters powered by our PT6C-67E engines,” said Nicolas Chabée, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Helicopters at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The UK’s New Medium Helicopter programme will be ideally served by this exceptional pairing with proven reliability, dispatch capabilities and mission flexibility. Pratt & Whitney has a leading presence in the UK, serving over 250 operators flying 1,250 engines that power 660 aircraft. We understand military missions and have decades of experience powering them.”

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