Refuse an interim solution

[GeorgeS]

First fully equipped helicopter was supposed to be delivered in November 2008, with delivery of all 28 helicopters by early 2011. But Sikorsky has yet to deliver a fully compliant helicopter, so Canada refused the offer of an “interim” solution. Wh, because they are not safe?

 

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130720/DEFREG02/307200005/Canada-Refuses-Accept-Sikorsky-Helos

 

Canada Refuses To Accept Sikorsky Helos VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — In what one top official is calling “the worst procurement in the history of Canada,” the government has refused to accept maritime helicopters being offered by Sikorsky under a $5 billion contract, arguing that the new aircraft don’t meet the needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The government has also hired a consultant to determine whether Sikorsky will be able to deliver the Cyclone maritime helicopter that the Canadian military contracted for in 2004. Recent comments by government ministers mark the first time they have openly questioned whether Sikorsky can follow through with the delivery of the 28 Cyclones, a maritime variant of Sikorsky’s S-92. The first fully equipped helicopter was supposed to be delivered in November 2008, with delivery of all 28 helicopters by early 2011. But Sikorsky has yet to deliver a fully compliant helicopter. The company has instead offered Canada what it calls “interim” helicopters — aircraft that are not fully outfitted with their mission systems. Improvements would be added to the helicopters over time. That offer, however, has been rejected. On June 27, then-Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Canada would be the first country to fly Cyclones “if and when we take full receipt of that aircraft.” Former Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose has accused Sikorsky of not living up to its contract. “The interim helicopter does not meet the requirements of the Air Force, so we are not going to take delivery of a helicopter that is not compliant,” Ambrose told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation June 25. Public Works will not say what sort of fee Canada would have to pay for canceling the contract. Both MacKay and Ambrose were moved to new government positions July 15 as part of an overall change of Cabinet ministers but the impasse over the helicopters remains. MacKay is the new justice minister and Ambrose is the minister of health. Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson declined to comment on the issues raised by Ambrose. But he noted the company is making what it calls steady progress on the Cyclone program. He noted in an email that four “flight ready” aircraft are now at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Those are the aircraft the government has declined to accept.....

 

 

 

[Goldy]

I'm with the Canadians on this one. You spec out something, they bid it, and you should get what you paid for.period.

[Gomer Pylot]

Safety has little to do with it, although there is some doubt about the safety of the S92 transmission. Canada ordered helicopters per spec, Sikorsky agreed to provide helicopters to that spec, and now they say they can't do it. If I ordered a new car with certain specs, and the dealer/mfr later said they could only provide lesser specs, I would certainly have the right to refuse those lower specs. Or I could accept the lower-spec'd car, perhaps at a lower price. It would be my choice, though.

[Alpha Elite]

i am on the side of Canada on his one. definately should get what you pay for.