New Models Driving Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft Production
(Newtown, Conn., March 27, 2008) -- In a new study, "The Market for Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft," Forecast International projects that a total of 3,706 rotorcraft will be produced in this market segment from 2008 through 2017. The value of this production is estimated at $84 billion.
Forecast International generally defines "medium/heavy" military rotorcraft as those having a maximum gross weight of at least 6,804 kilograms (15,000 lb). The market for these machines is expected to be quite dynamic over the next few years, and the new Forecast International study details the various factors and trends that are affecting and driving this market.
Manufacturers are busy ramping up production of several new medium/heavy military rotorcraft, including all-new models as well as upgraded variants of older rotorcraft types. The all-new models are mainly non-U.S. designs, a fact that reflects the relative lack of new-start development programs put into place in years past by the U.S. military. In addressing its rotorcraft requirements, the U.S. military has mostly preferred buying new versions of helicopters already in its fleet rather than pursuing the often lengthy and costly development of new designs.
In response, U.S. manufacturers have understandably tended to concentrate their development energies on the upgrades for which the U.S. military was calling. However, as Forecast International senior aerospace analyst Raymond Jaworowski notes, "The result is that new versions of older U.S. helicopters now often compete on the world market with all-new designs from non-U.S. manufacturers."
This trend may be starting to change, though. The U.S. Army now has two new-start development programs in its long-term plans: the Joint Heavy Lift (JHL) rotorcraft and the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) rotorcraft. The JHL program in particular is already serving as an impetus for development efforts at U.S. rotorcraft companies. The JHL rotorcraft is envisioned as a successor to the Army's CH-47F transport, while the JMR rotorcraft would replace various utility and attack helicopters in the service's fleet.
Market share projections contained in the new Forecast International study indicate that Sikorsky will lead the medium/heavy military rotorcraft market during the 2008-2017 time period in both unit production and value of production. NH Industries, a European consortium that produces the NH90 multirole helicopter, is projected to be second in unit production and third in value of production during the timeframe. Participants in NH Industries are Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, and Stork Fokker. Second place in value of production for the 2008-2017 period goes to the partnership between Bell and Boeing that builds the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft.
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Forecast International Inc.
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