Finmeccanica unit sues to block U.S. helicopter deal for Airbus

AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica SpA, has sued the U.S. Army to block its plans to buy 155 helicopters built by Europe's Airbus without a competition, arguing that its own helicopters would be cheaper to buy and operate.

AgustaWestland asked the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington to issue a temporary restraining order barring the Army from awarding the contract to Airbus without a competition, according to the complaint filed Sept. 19.

The U.S. Army issued a notice to industry on Sept. 4, saying that it planned to buy only EC-145 helicopters to replace its fleet of primary training helicopters.

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