Many competitors for the US Army AAS bid were lining up at AUSA. EADS North America AAS-72S+ (left), which had just finished the VFD (Voluntary Flight Demonstration) was on show; integration is ensured by Lockheed Martin, weapon systems being provided by Aerea of Italy. 'Ihe Boeing AH-6i was also on show together with the mock-up of the most innovative proposal for the bid, the Sikorsky S-97 Raider (right) with its rigid co-axial rotor system and clutched propeller. The Bell proposal based on an upgraded OH-58 known as OH-58F Block Ⅱ featuring a new powerpack and transmission, started its VFD the day AUSA opened its doors. AgustaWestland did not participate in AUSA, its VFD phase having taken place in June 2012 with an AW 139 since its AW 169 was busy with its very early flight tests.
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