HC Deb 27 July 1989 vol 157 c904W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the other helicopter options that are being looked at as an alternative to EH101 to fill the Royal Air Force's battlefield support requirement.

Mr. Alan Clark

In accordance with normal procurement practice, we shall consider all appropriate helicopter types, including—where relevant—combinations of types, in order to determine whether the utility version of the EH101 helicopter continues to represent the most cost-effective solution for meeting the future requirement for support helicopters. This work will be taken forward during the project definition phase of the RAF EH101 programme, the first stage of which will be completed by April 1990.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with representatives of McDonnell Douglas concerning the possible purchase of Apache helicopters for the Army Air Corps.

Mr. Alan Clark

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Army Air Corps or RAF pilots have been involved in any recent trials of the Blackhawk helicopter.

Mr. Alan Clark

The Ministry of Defence has not undertaken any recent trials of the Blackhawk. However, a flight observer from A&AEE, Boscombe Down, has flown in a Blackhawk which is used by Rolls-Royce as its flight test vehicle for the RTM 322 engine, as part of the MOD's monitoring of the RTM 322 development.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any Army Air Corps personnel or pilots from ETPS, Boscombe Down have recently test flown the AH64 Apache.

Mr. Alan Clark

A number of Army Air Corps pilots and test pilots from A&AEE, Boscombe Down, have flown the AH64 Apache during the last 12 months.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy variant of EH-101 is to be fitted with a ship sonar when it becomes operational.

Mr. Alan Clark

It is intended that the RN anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant of the EH-101 helicopter will be equipped with sonobuoy systems for the detection of submarines under water Consideration is also being given to fitting an active dipping sonar but no decision on the choice of equipment has yet been taken.