Boeing teams with Airbus on Germany's STH heavy-lift helo competition

An artist's rendering of the Chinook in Luftwaffe markings. (Boeing)

Boeing has announced that Airbus is to be its chief partner in its bid to secure the Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) heavy-lift helicopter requirement for Germany.

The US manufacturer said on 25 March that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner with Airbus Helicopters in its offer of the Chinook to Germany. Boeing, along with rival bidder Lockheed Martin and its CH-53K King Stallion, is looking to fulfil the STH requirement to replace the Luftwaffe's 70 VFW-Sikorsky CH-53G-series Stallions with between 40 and 60 new helicopters.

“With our Chinook offering and together with our German industry partners, we will create more than 500 highly skilled jobs in-country, all in direct support of the Bundeswehr's heavy-lift mission requirements,” Michael Haidinger, president of Boeing Germany, said.

The partnership with Airbus Helicopters builds on the existing Chinook industrial team earlier announced by Boeing. This team comprises Aero Bildung, CAE, Aircraft Philipp, Collins Aerospace, Cotesa Composites, Diehl Defence, Honeywell Aerospace, Liebherr, Reiser, and Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd.

“Boeing is committed to working with German industry on aircraft sustainment, including post-delivery modifications and installations, aircraft maintenance, supply chain services, training and logistical support, as well as the potential for subsystems maintenance, repair, and overhaul work,” the company said.