New Aussie army helos

[Magoo]

The Australian Army will be equipped with 12 new troop lift helicopters under a $1 billion project approved by the Howard Government, Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

Senator Hill said the Government had selected Australian Aerospace to supply the new MRH-90 aircraft to form an additional troop lift helicopter squadron, subject to satisfactory conclusion of negotiations.

This will bolster Australia’s counter-terrorism capabilities by releasing a Black Hawk squadron to provide dedicated support to our Special Forces on the east coast.

"The MRH-90 is the new generation of multi-role helicopters, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a rear ramp that can be used to load small vehicles, a flexible cabin configuration, a full fly-by-wire flight control system and digital cockpit," Senator Hill said.

"The helicopter can carry up to 18 troops plus four crew or 4000kg of underslung cargo, cruises at up to 300kph and has a maximum range of over 900km. It is a fully marinised helicopter that is able to operate from the Royal Australian Navy’s current and future amphibious ships.

"It is purpose-built for amphibious operations and includes extra corrosion protection, folding rotor blades and other enhancements to allow shipboard operations. This will give the Army an enhanced ability to move more soldiers further and faster from our amphibious lift ships, HMAS Kanimbla and Manoora, and their replacements.

"The aircraft is certified for ditching and is designed to modern safety standards, including crashworthiness and tolerance to structural and system damage – offering excellent protection for our troops that will be conducting sea and land operations."

Senator Hill said the first helicopter for the new squadron at Townsville would be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2008.

"The new squadron will increase Army’s troop lift capability by more than half," Senator Hill said.

"This will allow the relocation of a squadron of Black Hawk helicopters to the Sydney area to support the ADF’s Special Forces, further strengthening the Howard Government’s commitment to fighting terrorism.

"The Black Hawk squadron will be located near our Special Forces soldiers that are based at Holsworthy and will enhance mobility and training effectiveness for this critical capability.

"The Howard Government has committed more than $1.3 billion to the Australian Defence Force to fight the war against terrorism since 11 September 2001. This project will mean our Special Forces are better equipped to respond swiftly to any terrorist threat or incident."

Senator Hill said the project would also provide a substantial boost for Australian industry.

"The purchase of these new helicopters will include a support contract that may last for up to 20 years, and the overall Australian industry component of this project is expected to exceed $300 million," Senator Hill said.

"Benefits are expected to build on Australian Aerospace’s industry commitment developed as part of project AIR 87 and the delivery of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, the Eurocopter Tiger. Opportunities for Australian industry are anticipated in helicopter assembly, common and similar aircraft systems, avionics equipment, structural and engine technologies and training systems."

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[Magoo]

MRH-90 is a good choice, but it looks like the Govt has split Phases 2 and 4 of the Air9000 program again, rather than combining them for a larger order like they decided to do last year.

Magoo

 

[umair]

It's a good heli.But umm the Eh-101 sounds more versatile IMHO.

 

[gf0012-aust]

It's a good heli.But umm the Eh-101 sounds more versatile IMHO.

The 101 would have had problems fitting onto the fantails of some of our skimmers.

 

[umair]

It does bear a resemblance to the Sikorsky S-70.
Any connections :help

 

[Aussie Digger]

Not really, it is designed by NH Industries and has no link with Sikorsky as far as I know, it's in the same basic class of helicopter as the S-70, being a medium lift helo, but it's got far greater lift and troop carrying capabilites (double that of the S-70), it's also faster and possesses a greater range and NH industries claim it's more advanced, but they would wouldn't they? Being in competition with the S-70 in a number of projects around the world...

 

[Aussie Digger]

Australia Could Buy Up to 60 NH90s


(Source: defense-aerospace.com; issued Sept. 2, 2004)


PARIS --- While Australia’s planned order for 12 NH90 helicopters, announced Aug. 31, is valued at about A$ 1 billion, industry and government officials say repeat orders now in the pipeline or planned could boost the total number of NH90s to as many as 60, worth over A$ 5 billion.

However, the final contract negotiations for this first contract may prove more difficult than anticipated. Australia selected the NH90 on the basis of a Best And Final Offer for a 40-helicopter buy. The price quoted in that offer may no longer be acceptable to the supplier, as the initial order has now been reduced to 12. Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill told reporters that a decision on the upgrade or replacement of the Black Hawks, for which the remaining 28 NH90s were planned, would not be made before 2005 or 2006.

The risk for the NH90 industry group is that the Australian government may refuse to pay a higher price despite the lower number it is ordering. For domestic political reasons, Australia also is likely to insist on local assembly of at least some of the initial 12 helicopters, even though this makes much less financial sense than it would for 40 aircraft.

This would result in a substantial erosion of the contractors’ profit margin, but this is a sacrifice the NH Industries partners may be forced to accept as the price of locking in Australia’s transport helicopter market and, not least, of ejecting Sikorsky. NH Industries is a joint venture between France’s Eurocopter, Italy’s Agusta and Stork Fokker of the Netherlands. Formally, Australia’s MRH90s will be supplied by Australian Aerospace, a local subsidiary of Eurocopter.

According to current plans – which may change if the Howard government loses the general election it has called for early October – the NH90 should eventually replace the Australian Army’s Black Hawks, boosting the number required by the Army to 40, or possibly 42. The first batch of 12 will replace the Army’s UH-1s, which will be retired.

In addition, the Sea King and Sea Hawk helicopters currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy are also due for replacement, and the RAN will also require additional naval helicopters for the new Air Warfare Destroyers and new amphibious ships it plans to build. A number of NH90s – known as MRH90s in Australia – will also be required for training. In addition, the purchase contract will include a support contract lasting up to 20 years, generating substantial additional revenue for the manufacturers involved.

The Australian Industry Participation package now being finalized is worth about A$300 million, and centers on assembly of the aircraft by Australian Aerospace in Brisbane where the company is already assembling the Tigers on order.

“We're hoping the new helicopters will also be assembled in Brisbane and in the industry package that is to be negotiated, we'll look for a number of other capability enhancements, particularly in relation to the strategic area,†Hill said, adding that “opportunities for Australian industry are anticipated in helicopter assembly, common and similar aircraft systems, avionics equipment, structural and engine technologies and training systems.â€
The offset package will be more ambitious than is normally the case, Hill added, “because we are not just looking at a traditional offset type of arrangement; we now search for opportunities to support our industry, investing into the global supply chain.â€

“We think that that's the way of the future and there are a number of specialty niches in Australia and systems integration at the high-tech area, where our industry is poised to make real gains if it can get into further major contract opportunities,†he said.

Australian Aerospace and its local partners including ADI, KBR, Raytheon Australia and Thales Training Simulators will provide major components, mission systems, electronics, flight training facilities, training and maintenance for the helicopters, said Joseph Saporito, CEO of Australian Aerospace.

Following the Sultanate of Oman’s late July decision to buy 20 NH 90s, Australia is now the eleventh country to have selected the NH 90. Current orders stand at 357 aircraft plus 86 options, with additional orders planned by the original program partners.

Australia’s MRH90s will be modeled on the German Army's version, with slight variations such as electrically-folding main rotor blades and extensive navalisation features, according to Defence Minister Hill, including emergency flotation kits. He added the helicopters will form a new squadron based in Townsville; the first will be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2008.

If confirmed, the NH90 order will give Eurocopter a firm hold on the Australian military helicopter market, where it has already sold the Tiger attack helicopter, and reinforces the position of its corporate parent, EADS, whose Airbus unit earlier this year beat Boeing in a competition to supply the Royal Australian Air Force with tanker aircraft worth A$ 2 billion.

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