ePolitix.com reports on Tuesday's defence committee meeting, in which MPs heard how 'multi-role' helicopters could reduce current logistic problems.
The development of a "multi-role" helicopter would reduce complicated logistical procedures involved in operating a variety of aircraft, MPs were told today.
During a defence committee hearing on helicopter capability, Alex Sharp, of Sikorsky Aircraft said that the multirole aircraft had already proved their worth with other armed forces.
Sharp pointed to the decision by the US Navy to replace various aircraft on their carriers with the multi-role F/A 18.
He said that this enabled the Americans to "attack" their logistical problems.
Eurocopter executive vice-president Derek Sharples told the committee that it was a "great challenge" to manage the supply chain of parts for such a diverse fleet of aircraft in remote locations.
"We have in the region of €500m of inventory around the world.
"One of the core competencies necessary to manage the supply chain is an ability to anticipate what will be needed.
"This is not simple," he explained.
Eurocopter is the world's largest manufacturer of helicopters, having delivered 585 aircraft last year.
Pressed by Robert Key (Con, Salisbury), Sharples said that the cannibalisation of helicopters for spare parts was more often a problem with modern aircraft, as there was often insufficient technical expertise.
Nick Witney, senior vice-president at Augusta Westland noted that the Rolls Royce engine installed on the UK variant of the Apache attack helicopter was performing "extremely well" compared to the American version.
"Apache was designed from day one as a crashworthy aircraft," he added
The crashworthiness of an aircraft refers to its ability to protect its pilots and passengers during an impact.
Sharples rejected Key's suggestion that the older Puma aircraft, manufactured by Eurocopter, was not "crashworthy".
He argued that proposed upgrades would ensure the aircraft would in fact be more reliable than it had been in the past.
"Automatic engine control allows the engines to respond more quickly.
"Therefore in a situation where a pilot may find himself operating in marginal conditions, his ability to call and expect to receive additional power at critical moments makes it a safer more reliable machine," Sharples explained.
The Puma helicopter first entered service in 1971.
Witney noted that the UK military was operating aircraft in theatres "more challenging" than envisioned, and at a level of conflict above that which was planned.
He assured the committee that military procurement is given the highest priority.
"There is not any question that industry understands the urgency and need that is upon us," he said.
