New Army and Navy Training Aircraft??

[2s_in]

Is anyone in the loop on where defence, both army and navy, are at in precurring a new training aircraft? Hearing whispers about 109s but can anyone confirm this? Also what time frame are they looking at and is there any location change on the horizon, ie going back to ADFHS all in one scenario? Your input please.

2s In.

[maxeemum]

When the ADF is ready to announce the terms of reference relating to RWFT your answer will be revealed, and the old location of ADFHS is not an option as defence no longer owns the real estate. Two services new location most probable.

Max

:rolleyes:

[2s_in]

Wasn't thinking they were going back to Canberra, rather the whole combined training facility idea as such. If they are looking at this where and when? I realise where the MRH training will be conducted, more wondering how long the army will keep the Kiowas and if the Navy abinitio training is going to stay at Nowra for the long term? :bored:

[oldpinger]

Those two 109s are leased for hash/trash, consolidation training etc- a good example of lateral thinking for once- lease these to offload the real training aircraft. very pretty though....

[smiling assasin]

After a little google search, I found these top looking pics over at Hovercontrol... Thanks to the guy who posted them originally...

SA

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x104/bunyip69/2206070741tb7.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x104/bunyip69/2206070742na5.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x104/bunyip69/2206070740za4.jpg

[Ox cidental]

Nice to see that despite the Seasprites not working, Seahawks and Sea King's being overstretched and the Squirrels trying to stem the training load, a bunch of resources has gone into another aircraft type. It may be deployed as a morale raising retention initiative but I see an new admiral's barge in the hangar....cynical?, after 18 yrs you bet.

[EmpireOne]

2s In
Follow link for ADF to industry briefing (Open Source) on Helicopter Training System:
http://www.defence.gov.au/capability/AIR9000/PH7.asp
The big change to this briefing is that phase 7a (Navy) and phase 7b (Army) have been rolled into one and Army will now get a new training helicopter at the same time as Navy, ie earlier.
If you believe the gumpf, one would expect to see the first acft turn up around 2010/11. However, I wouldn't be too optimistic about seeing the Kiowa disappear before the end of 2012. As you know, Navy have already got AS350 (Trg) and A109 (Cont/Morale) until the new acft is delivered.
As for the likely type, who knows. You can read the briefing yourself to see what the role/fit requirements are, (Twin engine, glass cockpit, hoist, FLIR etc) and have no doubt that light utility and command/liaison roles are being considered as well. Acft under consideration at the moment start at A109 (probably too small), through EC135, EC145, 412 and AW139 (probably too big) and this list is by no means exhaustive. Whatever the selected type, I envy the lucky trainees who get to fly it as their first type.:hmm:
Not a bad time to take the Queen's Shilling if you want to fly some nice shiny new aircraft - EC135, MRH, CH-47D/F, ARH Tiger or Seasprite:E
EO
http://www.agustawestland.com/dinimg/Lynx_04gra.jpg :O

[evilroy]

Oh - and there are 3 x A109Es. There are also (unsubstantiated) rumours that the RAN may take on the rotary wing training from entry, i.e. do away with BFTS / 2FTS and start training directly at NAS.