Helo support for PNG national government elections.
Expanding a bit on the MRH90 discussion
Recently, Australian media showed several RNZAF UH-1H Iroquois (3?) being loaded on a RAAF C-17 for airlift to PNG to provide support for national government elections. Another report mentioned ADF Blackhawks (4?) also being deployed for that purpose and presumably ferried not airlifted.
The Huey is of course readily air deployable by C-130, although Blackhawk less easily. MRH90 is only deployable by C-17 and any difficulties regarding airlift not known.
Hourly operating costs for Huey are perhaps 20 percent of Blackhawk and MRH90 is presumably higher.
So; the economics of the PNG elections exercise would be interesting. Overall cost of deploying/operating/redeploying multiple Iroquois by C-17 versus presumed cost of ferry/operating/return ferry for Blackhawk.
Once the Kiwis have unwisely forfeited their upgradable UH-1H and acquire MRH90, cost-effective helo support for regional operations will be significantly diminished.
Somebody may be able to contribute some data re the PNG elections exercise that might be illuminating.