More than 30 potential civilian contract companies were in attendance during Industrial Days sponsored by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Jan. 9-11.

The event, hosted by the Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter Program, gave potential contractors a glimpse into the service’s plans to replace the aging HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.

“The CRH’s primary mission is to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory, but it will also conduct humanitarian, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, and non-combatant evacuation missions,” Maj. Ian Kemp, Chief, Combat Rescue Helicopter Requirements Branch, said.

During the three-day event, an open session was conducted with all potential companies the first day. The following two-days were dedicated to one-on-one sessions with potential prime contractors and their subcontractor teams that had previously requested a meeting.

“The ‘Industry Days’ focused on maintaining an open dialogue with industry and providing them with an overview of the program, to include the preliminary acquisition strategy, contract strategy and program timeline,” Dave Schairbaum, Director, Rotary Wing Branch, said.

“Additional details were provided on the requirements for airworthiness, test and evaluation, training systems and product support.”

The CRH program will continue to seek feedback from industry to ensure the elements of the Request for Proposal are clear and well understood, said Lt. Col. Dave Jeter, Program Manager, Combat Rescue Helicopter.

Release of a Draft RFP is planned by the end of Feb. 2012.