Case study

Westland Helicopters

Reducing prime contracting risks through capability benchmarking

Westland Helicopters Ltd, an AgustaWestland company, designs, builds and supports civil and military helicopters. Anticipating the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) need for a new generation of Navy and Army utility helicopters, Westland proposed the development of a new aircraft, the Future Lynx. The MOD awarded Westland a single tender contract to undertake the initial Assessment Phase of the proposed programme, but sought further re-assurance of Westland’s capability to act as prime contractor for the ensuing multi-million pound design, build and support phases of the programme.

PA Consulting Group was engaged to undertake an independent industry benchmarking study to determine whether Westland had the level of capability required and how competitive the company was with the best prime contractors in the industry. The study highlighted areas where Westland could reduce risks to the proposed programme and improve its capability, thereby strengthening the company’s chances of winning the MOD’s prime contractor role.

Once the study had been completed, a joint PA and client team designed and implemented a change programme to respond rapidly to the issues raised and to reinforce Westland’s position as a capable prime contractor.