AgustaWestland Inc. has chosen Air Methods Corporation of Denver, Colo, to develop the multimission aeromedical interior for the US101 helicopter. This aircraft is being proposed to the U.S. Air Force to meet its Combat Search and Rescue Replacement (CSAR-X) program needs. CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft, able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The Air Force intends to purchase 141 CSAR-X helicopters to replace its aging fleet of 102 HH-60G helicopters.

If selected, the American-built US101 will enable the Air Force to transport vehicles as large as a sport utility vehicle, or configure the space to accommodate 16 litters--or more than 30 troops, along with weapons for 360-degree coverage of the aircraft. In service today with five allied armed forces worldwide, the 101 fleet has logged more than 80,000 flight hours. The three-engine US101 is the leading contender in the CSAR-X competition, with a large, flexible cabin and proven combat search and rescue performance.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor and systems integration, AgustaWestland is the aircraft designer, and Bell Helicopter will produce the aircraft while General Electric will supply each helicopter with three of its CT7-8 engines.

Air Methods specializes in aircraft interiors for commercial and military customers. AgustaWestland, is an Anglo-Italian helicopter company owned by Italy's Finmeccanica.

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