View Full Version : RAN or Kaman Seasprites - which is worse?
Booger
27th Feb 2002, 15:29
Once again, the RAN has excelled itself in the art of hardware procurement:
Collins class, HMAS "rustbucket 1 & 2" and now the Kaman *****sprite.
Perhaps Labor's "Coastguard" wasn't such a laughable idea at all?!? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
Jackonicko
28th Feb 2002, 00:27
Was talking to a colleague the other day who got a telling off from Kaman for 'dissing' the SH-2 in an article he wrote about the Super Lynx. Would Westland's offering have been better, Mr.B, sir? What's wrong with the Sea$hite anyway? Just curious, you understand.
oldpinger
28th Feb 2002, 01:17
Super lynx, hmmmm, lets buy an aircraft that design is about as old as a sea sprite and comes from a company with such quality products as the EH101- HOW many years behind and how much over budget?????. .I won't go into the ins and outs of the capabilities- not on this forum anyway, but suffice to say, I heard someone say, they're both sh*te but we need to buy one of them to put on the OPV that we didn't end up buying <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0">
Booger
28th Feb 2002, 10:26
Jackonicko,
Not concerned with the type acquired as much as the way the RAN structured the contract. At the moment we have choppers that will be 3 years overdue (minimum) that don't have a combat capability. The RAN's contract pretty much read like this:
"Dear Kaman, please sell us some whirly-birds. Deliver them when you're ready, (whether THEY'RE ready or not), & charge us as much as you want for them. Sincerely, RAN.. .PS. Cost-overruns & delays will be rewarded with compliments."
Sadly, I'm not joking... . . <img src="frown.gif" border="0">
AllTrimDoubt
28th Feb 2002, 11:34
The Lynx (Super...or not) kicks the Kaman into touch. Just ask Mohammed al BinSeaSkua'd - late of any of Iraq's previous naval vessels.
Combat proven
(and for President Blair..."Warfare not Welfare")
[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: AllTrimDoubt ]</p>
Problem seems to be in the 'too advanced' avionics / software integration that the RAN chose.....the RNZN version (although less capable in theory) works fine, is in service, and within budget. The problem is jointly with the RAN / Kaman IMHO.
The basic SH-2G airframe is much more suited to an avionics upgrade than the Lynx ever was....