Royal Australian Air Force [RAAF] News, Discussions and Updates

[John Fedup]

Yes, LM has a replacement program for the centre wing box. Our RCAF C-130Js started arriving in 2014 so I guess they have the enhanced box (hopefully).

http://www.lockheedmartin.ca/conten...ations/2013-HOC-Wednesday/Wed 1015 LM-CWB.pdf

 

[pussertas]

Black Hawks Refurbished for Fire-Fighting Role

World-First Refurbishment of Black Hawk Helicopters for Firefighting and Disaster Relief In Australia Under New Agreement
(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued July 28, 2017)

BRISBANE, Australia --- In a ground-breaking new deal, Kaan Air Australia, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and StarFlight Australia, have signed an agreement worth up to AUD $63 million to bring 10 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into Australia, with options for an additional 10 aircraft.

In a world-first refurbishment program to be undertaken in Brisbane, the agreement will see the purchase of 10 ex-US military Black Hawks, to be imported into Australia early next year. The Black Hawks will brought up to ‘as new’ condition and repurposed specifically for aerial firebombing operations during future bushfire seasons around Australia and New Zealand and for year-round emergency services and disaster relief work.

The aircraft will be refurbished and maintained in Brisbane by Sikorsky. This initiative sees Kaan Air Australia and StarFlight Australia partner to usher in a new era in Australian emergency services and disaster relief aviation.

This agreement with Sikorsky Australia will be a boost for local aviation jobs, potentially creating more than 50 pilot and technical jobs in the long term, including apprenticeships.

John Skeen, chief executive officer of Kaan Air Australia and StarFlight Australia, welcomed the new agreement and said the deal would assist emergency services in filling a significant gap within Australia’s firefighting and disaster relief resources.

“This is a game-changer for aviation in Australia. The purchase of 10 plus 10 optioned Black Hawks represents a significant milestone for the firebombing and disaster relief helicopter industry in Australia, particularly in terms of efficient rotary wing attack to reduce loss of life and property during bushfire events,” said Skeen.

“The helicopters are being purchased by an Australian company, will be registered in Australia and most importantly, will be fully maintained and supported in Australia by the helicopter OEM Sikorsky and its supply chain commitment, helping to boost local jobs in the area and guaranteeing ongoing supply chain support of our Black Hawk fleet.”

General Manager of Sikorsky Australia, Andrew Rushbrook, said that as the original manufacturer of the Black Hawk helicopter, there is no company better positioned to refurbish and maintain this incredible aircraft and no better place to do so than at Sikorsky Australia headquarters in Brisbane.

Kaan Air is one of Europe’s leading helicopter utility operator and a renowned helicopter manufacturer (OEM) distributor for AgustaWestland and Russian helicopters and has significant operational experience in helicopter firefighting, off-shore and Air Medical Service businesses. In 2015 Kaan Air Australia established a joint venture under the StarFlight name with LifeFlight Australia.

Kaan Air Australia Chairman, Mr. Ferda Yildiz, said it was an important and significant deal for his company.

“We are very happy to be able to take part and contribute to the helicopter firefighting and disaster relief effort within Australia and further strengthen our ties with a very distinguished OEM, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin,” Yildiz said. “We aim to expand this cooperation beyond Australia in other parts of the world in similar projects using the expertise of our Australian company.”

The initial 10 Black Hawk helicopters have been hand-picked by Sikorsky for their suitability in aerial firebombing and external heavy load lifting ability, and will be made available by StarFlight to assist emergency services and fire agencies in bushfires and natural disasters across the country.

StarFlight Australia will be the operator of the aircraft. The Black Hawks will undergo three months of extensive refurbishment, including new high-performance engines, upgraded gear boxes, installation of Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS) and a general overhaul which will be carried out by Sikorsky at its Pinkenba facility in Brisbane.


Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 800 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.


:dbanana

 

[hauritz]

Australia's Blackhawks are all due to be withdrawn from service next year. Meanwhile the US army conducted a SLEP of its UH-60A with the intention of keeping them flying through to 2025 - 30.

I wonder if Australia has ever given any thoughts to upgrading a few of it's UH-60A to the L standard given the issues it has had with the MRH-90.

 

[Stampede]

Australia's Blackhawks are all due to be withdrawn from service next year. Meanwhile the US army conducted a SLEP of its UH-60A with the intention of keeping them flying through to 2025 - 30.

I wonder if Australia has ever given any thoughts to upgrading a few of it's UH-60A to the L standard given the issues it has had with the MRH-90.

Does anyone know how many MRH-90's are in a Aviation Squadron?
When all 47 Taipan are in service will there be enough for three lift Squadrons thus enabling one for each Beersheba Brigade and 6 for the RAN.
Do we have the numbers?
Maybe some scope to refurbish some Blackhawks dedicated to the Special forces until they select what future helicopter they require.( I suspect something small and deployable in a C17)

Thoughts

Regards S

 

[south]

The Royal Australian Human Rights Commission Air Force - Bernard Gaynor

Worrying developments for ACG. The reason they have performed well on ops is not because they are male or female, black or white, but they are well trained with standards. Any erosion of standards will ultimately result in a loss of capability and safety.

 

[aussienscale]

The Royal Australian Human Rights Commission Air Force - Bernard Gaynor

Worrying developments for ACG. The reason they have performed well on ops is not because they are male or female, black or white, but they are well trained with standards. Any erosion of standards will ultimately result in a loss of capability and safety.

Seriously why post this ? I like a good joke like anyone else, but this is just wasted space and not worth the effort to post a link

 

[south]

Seriously why post this ? I like a good joke like anyone else, but this is just wasted space and not worth the effort to post a link

Would you prefer if I pasted the AHRC original report. Because it is not a joke. Mr Gaynor may have exaggerated at time with his choice of language, but the message is valid

http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/Disclosures/138_1617_Documents.pdf

Standard left wing nonsense, which is difficult to see how most of the proposals will increase capability

 

[aussienscale]

IMO unadulterated left wing garbage.... easily debunked by anyone with a modicum of common sense.

You said it, so like I posted, why bother ? it adds nothing to the forum or the discussion

 

[south]

Important RAAF news, directly relating to future raise train and sustain developments of ACG in the RAAF news, discussion and updates thread? How is it not pertinent or relevant?

 

[ADMk2]

The Royal Australian Human Rights Commission Air Force - Bernard Gaynor

Worrying developments for ACG. The reason they have performed well on ops is not because they are male or female, black or white, but they are well trained with standards. Any erosion of standards will ultimately result in a loss of capability and safety.

And unfortunately will join the ever growing list of organisations that have had standards lowered for the sake of gender diversity, rather than for any operational consideration...

 

[CJR]

The Royal Australian Human Rights Commission Air Force - Bernard Gaynor

Worrying developments for ACG. The reason they have performed well on ops is not because they are male or female, black or white, but they are well trained with standards. Any erosion of standards will ultimately result in a loss of capability and safety.

Given he begins with an incoherent rant against the F-35, displays ads claiming to be responsible for booting out an ADF imam (with a scream of "I needz monies to do it 'gain"); describes himself as a "conservative catholic"; claims to be skeptical of "modern thinking"; etc. etc etc. he's hardly the most unbiased of sources.

I note his "criticism" seems to amount to pointing and laughing rather than actually offering any coherent discussion as to why the proposed changes are actually likely to result in diminished standards.

I also note that the executive summary of the report he's criticizing notes that many of the same considerations ALSO apply to entry of men into fighter training... and particularly emphasizes existing problems with retention and recruiting likely influenced by the same factors. (That's putting aside: Given the choice between being unable to man half the fighter fleet or accepting somewhat lower fitness standards in order to man it all, which would you choose?)

This isn't to say the suggested changes may not be problematic, but we shouldn't break down into incoherent screaming about communazilabornotconservativeislamogreensocialists just because an incoherent blogger gibbered to his all of two real followers and half-dozen sockpuppets.

 

[John Fedup]

Gee, I am glad that really long word in your post was never included in any of my spelling tests.

 

[aussienscale]

Important RAAF news, directly relating to future raise train and sustain developments of ACG in the RAAF news, discussion and updates thread? How is it not pertinent or relevant?

The base issue is important, never said it was not, but the pathetic link and the rant and rave add nothing, as has already been said, so no, morons ranting about something they have no idea about is not relevant.

Cheers

 

[pussertas]

Wedgetail Upgrade

The latest Defence Technology Review has an article regarding the upgrade of the RAAF Wedgetails

SEE: Defence Technology Review AUG 2017.

:jump

 

[SpazSinbad]

For a few months now - every now & then - there have been links to 'F-35A training & how the RAAF may do it'. Here is the latest USAF 'first in class of newbies' grad: [about 50% of course is in the FMS Full Mission Simulator]
Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course 06 Aug 2017 Pedro Mota

"...During the course, Lockheed Martin instructor pilots taught the academic phase of training consisting of more than 156 events totaling 308 hours. Academics focuses on pilots learning the basic aircraft systems, emergency procedures, local area procedures, mission systems, weapons and tactical employment.

Prior to the first flight in the Lightning II, each student completes 16 simulator events and over the course of the program 46 simulator events occur. The F-35 simulator provides a highly realistic and immersive experience that prepares each pilot for their first sortie in an aircraft.

“Each student flew at least 48 sorties totaling 77 hours,” said Lt. Col. Rhett Hierlmeier, 61st FS commander. “Starting with the basics of taking off and landing, continuing across the full spectrum mission sets, and culminating in our Capstone phase of high-end employment. Along the way, our students dropped inert and live laser-guided GBU-12s, refueled from a KC-135 day and night, and flew low-altitude step-down training.” Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course > Luke Air Force Base > Article Display

 

[Joe Black]

Australia's Chief of Air Force Completes AIR 5428 PC-21 First Flight

https://www.airrecognition.com/inde...ce-completes-air-5428-pc-21-first-flight.html

Saw the post on DefMin's Facebook post today:
"The Government is investing more than $1.5 billion in a new pilot training system, ensuring our next generation of ADF pilots have access to the most contemporary training methods and equipment. At the centre of this investment are 49 new Pilatus PC-21 aircraft (with 42 allocated to pilot training), complemented by seven flight simulators. The ADF’s new training system will produce multi-skilled aircrew, able to operate all current and future platforms, from fighter aircraft to our C-17 transporters, as well as our Army and Navy helicopters."

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/vi...m/senatormarisepayne/videos/2011623099057259/

Pretty confusing with the statement that 49 new PC-21 aircraft was purchased, with only 42 allocated to pilot training. I was thinking then, what about the other 7 aircraft.

Then again, the DefMin stated that 7 flight simulators were also bought, my guess is that she has include the 7 flight Sim as part of the aircraft number bought. Confusing I know.

I was initially hoping that the 7 additional aircraft could be use as a "test" platform for COIN, very much akin to the USAF OA-X project.

 

[oldsig127]

Pretty confusing with the statement that 49 new PC-21 aircraft was purchased, with only 42 allocated to pilot training. I was thinking then, what about the other 7 aircraft.

Doesn't 4 Sqn use the PC-9A for FAC? Might that be part of the discrepancy? Also, there's likely be at least one allocated to ARDU which currently operates a PC-9.

In any case, every thing I've read says 49 actual aircraft ordered so the simulators are on top of, not part of, that.

oldsig127

 

[Joe Black]

Doesn't 4 Sqn use the PC-9A for FAC? Might that be part of the discrepancy? Also, there's likely be at least one allocated to ARDU which currently operates a PC-9.

In any case, every thing I've read says 49 actual aircraft ordered so the simulators are on top of, not part of, that.

oldsig127

Yeah, I think your right, I forgot about the 4 sqn. Wonder if ARDU will be replacing the PC-9 with the new PC-21 though. They still have the classic Hornet, and have not replaced it with a Rhino. If the entire fleet of PC-9s are sold off, then I suppose the ARDU PC-9 will be part of the sales rather than being kept as the only sole platform.

 

[John Newman]

Doesn't 4 Sqn use the PC-9A for FAC? Might that be part of the discrepancy? Also, there's likely be at least one allocated to ARDU which currently operates a PC-9.

In any case, every thing I've read says 49 actual aircraft ordered so the simulators are on top of, not part of, that.

oldsig127

This should answer your question:

Pilatus PC-21 formally welcomed into RAAF service | Australian Aviation

According to the AA article, the 49 airframes will be distributed as follows:

* 42 airframes for use by the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), 2 Flying Training School (2FTS), Central Flying School (CFS) and also the Roulettes.

* Three (3) for the ARDU.

* And four (4) for forward air control/JTAC training with 4 Squadron.

So that's the distribution of the 49 airframes, PLUS, there will also be seven (7) flight simulators and other training devices too.

 

[jack412]

Unless things have changed. I think we are leasing nn hours of flight time per year, with add on options. The number of PC-21 frames was up to the contractor. Someone in the loop may be able to shed more light.