New training helos for ADF

[Pusser01]

Does anyone have any news or thoughts on the new training helos for the Army & RAN? According to latest sources the Army is now looking for a light twin engined machine and the navy is looking for a single engined machine.
The Navy at the end of last year was apparently favouring a twin engined wheeled variety that would have been able to fulfil part of the utility role of the Seaking as well as replacing the Squirrel eg S76, A109 etc. Obviously now with the MRH90 selected as the Seaking replacement, has this need been downgraded? Should the navy & army select the same machine for ease of logistics?
Any thoughts?
Cheers

 

[Magoo]

Does anyone have any news or thoughts on the new training helos for the Army & RAN? According to latest sources the Army is now looking for a light twin engined machine and the navy is looking for a single engined machine.
The Navy at the end of last year was apparently favouring a twin engined wheeled variety that would have been able to fulfil part of the utility role of the Seaking as well as replacing the Squirrel eg S76, A109 etc. Obviously now with the MRH90 selected as the Seaking replacement, has this need been downgraded? Should the navy & army select the same machine for ease of logistics?
Any thoughts?
Cheers

Not only do the Navy and Army have diverging requirements, but also diverging schedules in the latest DCP. Navy will get their helo in the next couple of years, whereas Army has been pushed back to post 2016!!!

I think Navy's solution may end up being a short term leased one to replace the Squirrel, whereas Army will likely get an LUH type to finally replace its Kiowas and Iroquois. Navy may then come over to the Army's way of thinking late next decade.

Magoo

 

[Aussie Digger]

Not only do the Navy and Army have diverging requirements, but also diverging schedules in the latest DCP. Navy will get their helo in the next couple of years, whereas Army has been pushed back to post 2016!!!

I think Navy's solution may end up being a short term leased one to replace the Squirrel, whereas Army will likely get an LUH type to finally replace its Kiowas and Iroquois. Navy may then come over to the Army's way of thinking late next decade.

Magoo

Government should take the lead on this issue, IMHO. Any time individual services have a "difference of opinion" on the right platform to fulfill a particular role and one that is basically identical for both services, serious external oversight needs to be provided.

Just as the Government over-rid Army's strong desire for Blackhawks they should do the same with this decision. Get a list of options from both Services and pick the best and most cost effective.

Then MAKE each Service live with it...

 

[Sea Toby]

Why don't the navy use army training helicopters until new ones are ordered in ten years? Then both services can order the same helicopter. Another alternative would be to extend the lives of the navy training helicopters ten years.

Surely, the defence forces can save a bit here combining the purchase and support packages.

 

[Tasman]

New navy traininghelicopter

It was announced today in a media release on the Department of Defence Website that the RAN will get 3 Agusta Westland A109E Multi-Engine helicopters that will be operated from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW. A four year contract has been signed for the operation of the helos.

The release states that:

The Navy’s “Power Flight” will provide junior qualified aircrew, graduating from the AS350 Squirrel, with consolidation flying and skill enhancement opportunities prior to transition to operation conversion on the Seahawk, Seasprite and Sea King helicopters.

Full details can be seen on the website - see the following link:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=6358

Cheers