Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

Australian Navy Seasprites

Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

Australian Navy Seasprites

Old 11th Feb 2007, 06:35
  #81 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
E86,

As much as I don't like the Aust Labour Party, the procurement decision for the Sea Sprite lies squarely with the Navy Procurement team led by a CAPT Engineer. The Patrol Boat option (muted with Malaysia) fell through well before the final deal but the project team fell in love (lust?) with the idea of this small airframe packing all of the goodies. Too many inexperienced people with too much pull on the D.

For those of us who were at the frontline when the final deliberations were being undertaken, we were assured that the aircraft was a working model and we wouldn't fall into the trap of the Sea Hawk (S70B2) integration problems. Lo and behold, only a month or so late, we were stuck with this pig with four different major weapons system and a new thing called ITAS to make it all work. Yes we were assured, we can get a P3 into an airframe that size. What a waste and all those at Nowra knew it.

Its only money so lets do it properly the next time. Poor old 805 Sqn - over sea and sand (in what exactly).
sunnywa is offline  
Old 12th Feb 2007, 10:43
  #82 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rationalisation

I suppose scrapping the seasprite will help achieve the rationalisation of aircraft types that the Navy keep talking about, but then again arent they now getting 3 x A109's to keep guys hands in why they wait for an operational type.

The sooner the Army and Navy go to a light twin for training and NH90's all round, as well as CH47's and Tigers the better. Take the short term loss of capability for a huge gain in the future. At least navy guys wont then have to go to AS350, then A109, and then an operational type.
Little Fish is offline  
Old 12th Feb 2007, 21:48
  #83 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New Zealand
Age: 51
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The scrapping of the fleet could be NZs saviour considering they can't even get a spare rotorblade out of Kaman at the moment. NZ may have got new airframes but finding some components to go in them is still a struggle and if this deal between ADF and Kaman goes belly up it will be interesting to see if Kaman defence folds.
It would be nice to have access to spares just across the ditch though........
Heli-kiwi is offline  
Old 17th Feb 2007, 12:13
  #84 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RAN Seasprite: Hear Our Case, Kaman Execs Tell Defence Minister

http://www.shephard.co.uk/Rotorhub/D...f-8980c220673c

Linking to story to avoid breaking copyright laws. Those with less scruples (or those who believe scruples is money in Russia), feel free to copy and paste the article.
noexcessivecranking is offline  
Old 25th May 2007, 04:53
  #85 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Nowra, NSW, Australia
Posts: 171
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
RAN to push on with SH-2G(A)

The decision has been made - and it looks like Brendon Nelson got over-ruled.

The Seasprite programme continues....

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/...601623568.html
evilroy is offline  
Old 25th May 2007, 05:23
  #86 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 46 Likes on 20 Posts
Looks like all us JOUT's or boggies will have to implement plan B once off course, eat our way in to a Seahawk or NH90 (when they get here).
havick is offline  
Old 25th May 2007, 06:48
  #87 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Nowra, NSW, Australia
Posts: 171
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Just remember you have to be the right size / shape to go to the Sprite. If, however, you fit the bill.... well, you know where you are going after 723.
evilroy is offline  
Old 25th May 2007, 10:15
  #88 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 46 Likes on 20 Posts
hence my previous post.
havick is offline  
Old 4th Mar 2008, 23:30
  #89 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: nocte volant
Posts: 1,114
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Seasprite

Just heard that the seasprite program has been cancelled. I can't find a news link at the moment.
Trojan1981 is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 00:53
  #90 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Age: 75
Posts: 4,378
Received 24 Likes on 14 Posts
Unhappy $Abillion, just like that

Cancelled: ABC News.

Labor cleans up Seasprite 'mess'

Billion-dollar dud: A Navy Seasprite goes through its paces (www.navy.gov.au)

The Federal Government has cancelled Australia's $1 billion commitment to the Royal Australian Navy's controversial Seasprite helicopter project.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon made the announcement at a visit to a Newcastle engineering firm this morning.

The $1 billion Seasprite fleet was due to enter service in 2001 but was indefinitely grounded in 2006.

An upgrade of a 1960s airframe with 21st century avionics, the helicopters are unable to be operated reliably in poor visibility conditions and at night.

A statement from the Defence Department said discussions with the contractor would start immediately.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our determination to make tough decisions whenever required for the security of the nation and the safety and capability of our Defence Force," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"The decision taken by the Rudd Labor Government is one that should have been taken by the Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Nelson, when he had the opportunity last year.

"But his Government decided to put its own political interests ahead of the national interest. Consequently, the responsibility of cleaning up the mess they created falls to us."

Coalition defence spokesman Nick Minchin says Mr Fitzgibbon must explain what it will cost to drop the Seasprite contract, and what legal action the contractor Kaman will take.
John Eacott is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 00:57
  #91 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Seasprite cancelled.

Don't think I've ever seen a carcass that had to be backed over so many times before it finally died...
turboshaft is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 05:54
  #92 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Melbourne/Australia
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Devil Turboshaft.

Turboshaft,
Well said. Just think of the dickheads in this country who are still employed by the goverment who made these decisions are still in the same jobs making the same decisions. I still cannot believe that the price tag is 1 BILLION dollars. Hope all you tax payers in Australia raise hell over this.

Banger
bladebanger is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 08:17
  #93 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't think I've ever seen a carcass that had to be backed over so many times before it finally died
like that, but please not in front of the animal libbers.

and

I still cannot believe that the price tag is 1 BILLION dollars. Hope all you tax payers in Australia raise hell over this.

I guess that if we weren't sorry
well now we're proper sorry
topendtorque is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 18:50
  #94 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 'bout 2nm Nth
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Just think of the dickheads in this country who are still employed by the goverment who made these decisions are still in the same jobs making the same decisions."

Couldn't agree more. And we keep doing it!

"I'll take half of that one, and half of that one and we'll bolt them together"
"...ahh sir, you can't do that".
"...well, that's what we're doing. Make it happen. Now, what's for lunch?"

The Super Hornet is up next.....
Screwed™ is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 22:36
  #95 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New Zealand
Age: 51
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The safety and security of Australia is in the hands of these overpaid monkeys..... thats another project butchered - the blood has been hosed away.....bring in the Super Hornets that the yanks don't want
Heli-kiwi is offline  
Old 5th Mar 2008, 23:32
  #96 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: nocte volant
Posts: 1,114
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"I'll take half of that one, and half of that one and we'll bolt them together"
"...ahh sir, you can't do that".
"...well, that's what we're doing. Make it happen. Now, what's for lunch?"

Classic! It's so true.

this quote, from another site set up by some good soldiers, sums it up well:
(SIC)
"These tasks will require a through knowledge of nuclear physics, the physical ability of an average grown person and the thought process of a young child. The army has the innate if not magical ability to take what would be the smallest of simple tasks, and break down these tasks, into what would be the same level of a nuclear physics lesson. This is done for some unusual reason, but it is thought that this is done to make a task last longer, and make everyone think 'Why are we doing this'. There is also a school of thought, that persons in command, just do it because they can, why not make the job harder than it has to be, they are not doing it."
Trojan1981 is offline  
Old 20th Mar 2008, 09:10
  #97 (permalink)  
Chief Bottle Washer
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: PPRuNe
Posts: 5,097
Received 171 Likes on 101 Posts
Kaman must be laughing all the way to the bank. They keep and sell the aircraft, keep half the sale figure, and the Australian taxpayers just cop the loss

ABC News:

Govt to receive $40m for scrapped Seasprites

The Federal Government says it will receive just under $40 million as part of the agreement to scrap the Seasprites helicopter project.

The Government announced earlier this month it was scrapping the $1.3 billion contract because of safety concerns.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says the Government has now agreed on the terms of the cancellation with the contractor Kaman.

The helicopters, training equipment and other spare parts will be sold, and the Government will receive a guaranteed financial return of just under $40 million
Senior Pilot is offline  
Old 20th Mar 2008, 09:20
  #98 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Age: 75
Posts: 4,378
Received 24 Likes on 14 Posts
It's OUR money, Bruce!

Kaman press release:

Kaman Corp. (Nasdaq: KAMN) reported today that its subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace International Corporation (Kaman), has reached an agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia that establishes mutually agreed terms for conclusion of the SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite program.

Under the terms of the Agreement, ownership of the 11 SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite helicopters will be transferred to Kaman along with spare parts and associated equipment. The transfer is subject to US government approval and the Commonwealth will carry out that process, which could take several months. Thereafter, Kaman will seek to sell the aircraft to another customer or customers and will share the proceeds of each sale with the Commonwealth under a pre-established formula. Kaman has agreed that at least $37 million (US) of such payments will be made to the Commonwealth regardless of sales, with at least $25 million (US) to be paid by March 2011, and $6 million (US) each in years 2012 and 2013. Under the agreement, Kaman will forego payment on approximately $35 million (US) in net unbilled receivables in exchange for the helicopters, spare parts and equipment, which will be recorded as inventory. The value of this inventory is expected to exceed the amount of the net unbilled receivables and the guaranteed payments.

In commenting on the agreement, Neal J. Keating, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Kaman Corporation, said, "We appreciate the Australian government's willingness to work with us to develop a mutually satisfactory path to conclude their Super Seasprite program. We are also pleased to have the opportunity to sell these highly capable aircraft to another customer."

The Kaman Super Seasprite is currently serving with the governments of Egypt, New Zealand and Poland. The aircraft also served with distinction as a front-line U.S. Navy helicopter, where its reliability and durability were well respected.

Kaman Corp. conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.
Australian Government statement:

On 5 March 2008 the Government announced its intention to cancel the Seasprite helicopter project.

A satisfactory conclusion to the Seasprite project has now been agreed with the contractor, Kaman, to cancel the project on mutually agreed terms. An agreement has today been signed between the Australian Government and the contractor setting out the agreed terms. The agreement has some confidential aspects, however I can say that, subject to US Government approval, the project deliverables including the aircraft, training equipment and spare parts would be returned to Kaman for sale on the open market. The Australian Government and Kaman would share in the profits of subsequent sales.

Under the agreement, the Australian Government will receive at least 50 per cent of the proceeds from any sale of the helicopters by Kaman with a guaranteed financial return from Kaman of $39.5 million. In addition a further $30 million worth of spares will be retained for use on the Seahawk and Black Hawk helicopter fleets.

Further, the Australian Government has saved $150 million that would otherwise have been spent on the Seasprite project that will now be available for use on other capability.

Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon said that he was pleased that the early resolution that had been achieved by the Australian negotiating team removes the uncertainty surrounding the Seasprite project.

This is considered the best outcome for the Government as well as the personnel affected by the decision. The Government is assisting Kaman with the transition of their personnel in a sector that is short of qualified and experienced people.

Mr Fitzgibbon said, “The Government has taken the tough decision and acted decisively to achieve the necessary outcome without a protracted legal dispute, to ensure the nation’s security.

“A legal and financial framework to facilitate the agreement is in place that provides a reasonable return for the Australian taxpayer. We are determined to ensure that the Defence Force receives the capability it needs. We have learned some valuable lessons from this project that we can apply to better ensure the success of future projects, and make sure that taxpayers receive value for their money,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
John Eacott is offline  
Old 17th Jul 2008, 01:04
  #99 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1 Dunghill Mansions, Putney
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
This might meet the RAN's requirements: there's a company mentioned here which is offering a dozen or so 'rapid response delivery' maritime helicopters, available off-the-shelf.

From what I hear, they also have some experience of working in Aus. I'll see if I can dig out a contact number...

I/C
Ian Corrigible is offline  
Old 17th Jul 2008, 01:49
  #100 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sale, Australia
Age: 80
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why don't we order, say 50. I bet they're cheap.
Brian Abraham is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.