Attack vs. Naval Helicopters

[RubiconNZ]

I don't care what anyone may say about these helo's, they are one GUCCI looking bit of kit...

I hear that, exciting times for the ADF

 

[barra]

Apart from the stickers, are there any other differences between army and the navy MRH-90s?
I'm guessing degree of marinization is the same. (Hopefully they learnt after operating the blackhawks off the LPAs).
What about electronics, surely a one suite variant won't suit all?

rb

The Army and Navy versions are same/same. They are all to be fully marinized, I believe that is what the M in MRH-90 stands for.

I don't know why they even bothered putting Army or Navy on them. I hear there will be one pool of aircraft with Navy having 6 available at all times. As Navy airframes go in for DLM they will either receive one coming out of DLM or from Army.

Navys aircraft won't have an N prefix a la "N48-XXX" either, they will all follow the "A48-XXX" model.

Hooroo

 

[RubiconNZ]

The Army and Navy versions are same/same. They are all to be fully marinized, I believe that is what the M in MRH-90 stands for.

In this case the M stands for Multi, I suppose for the multi service slash purpose use.

Interesting about the lack of Navy coding and the pooling, do you see any difficulties that could arise from this?

 

[McTaff]

In this case the M stands for Multi, I suppose for the multi service slash purpose use.

Interesting about the lack of Navy coding and the pooling, do you see any difficulties that could arise from this?

Nope, it'll only be a paperwork hassle trying to find the airframe in a drop-down list on any computerised forms.

It's a good idea in theory - whenever an airframe comes up for deep maintenance or any period of downtime, simply send it back to the pool and get another airframe.

The downside is the fact that you may not have an immediate surging capability as you would need to know in advance how many airframes you want for a particular time period. It isn't inflexible, and the upshot is that you *could* surge a large number if required, it'll just be a bit of a delay. Kind of a bread/tractors argument if you like.

 

[barra]

In this case the M stands for Multi, I suppose for the multi service slash purpose use.

Multi Role Helicopter, yeah that makes sense doesn't it.

Thats what I love about this site, always somebody with the good oil.

Do I see a problem with the pooling? Only from a maintenance point of view. It is amazing how much things can differ between two operators of the same aircraft, in the same service with the same set of documented maintenance procedures and overarching guidelines. There are subtle ways different people interpret the same guidelines to reach the same outcome.

Two different services will add another dimension to that mix, however I am sure the professional maintainers of Army and Navy will work things out. Each in their own way.


Cheers Mate,

Barra

 

[barra]

For those interested, the first two Australian MRH-90's(see pics above) are due to arrive at Brisbane Airport tomorrow on board an Antonov AN-124.

Cheers,

Barra

 

[RubiconNZ]

Thanks for the info, exciting stuff indeed can't wait for the pictures,
Cheers
@barra & Mctaff thanks for the replies to the maintenance question as well