Leonardo proposing AW109 Trekker to ADF Special Forces

[chopper2004]

Leonardo offering AW109 Trekker as off-the-shelf solution to the Australian Defence Force’s needs for Land 2097, Phase 4 Special Operations Rotary Wing Capability.

https://www.verticalmag.com/press-releases/leonardo-presents-aw109-trekker-as-australian-special-forces-helicopter/

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1859/43609685665_91ddc34a02_b.jpg

[tartare]

In the wake of the Tiger debacle - don't buy European Australia!!!
Wait for the Valor...!

[Ascend Charlie]

The Tiger wasn't off-the-shelf, it was in-the-bin.

The Trekker would probably be a good choice, as long as our politicians don't try to win votes by plonking it in a factory in a marginal electorate to "Australianise" it.

[SASless]

Learn from success...MD-500's, Blackhawks, and Chinooks......as one type aircraft will not meet the various needs of SpecOps Forces.

[melmothtw]

Learn from success...MD-500's, Blackhawks, and Chinooks......as one type aircraft will not meet the various needs of SpecOps Forces.

This particular requirement calls for one type, of which 4 can be transported in the back of a C-17. Besides AW109, Airbus is offering its H145M and NorthStar Aviation its Bell 407-based MRH (as currently flown by the UAE). Would expect MDHI and Boeing to offer the 530F/G and AH-6i respectively also.

I would bet on the H145M personally. While the Tiger and NH90 have been problematic for Airbus, the H145/H145M is very much a success story, and Germany fielding it specifically in a SOF role.

[ginty79]

How many seats in the back of one of those 2g3? Okay for sniping but thats about it.

[chopper2004]

This particular requirement calls for one type, of which 4 can be transported in the back of a C-17. Besides AW109, Airbus is offering its H145M and NorthStar Aviation its Bell 407-based MRH (as currently flown by the UAE). Would expect MDHI and Boeing to offer the 530F/G and AH-6i respectively also.

I would bet on the H145M personally. While the Tiger and NH90 have been problematic for Airbus, the H145/H145M is very much a success story, and Germany fielding it specifically in a SOF role.

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/special-forces-helicopter-industry-brief-for-land-2097-phase-4

https://defbrief.com/2020/07/11/airbus-announces-industry-team-for-australian-special-forces-helicopter-bid/


https://australianaviation.com.au/2020/05/babcock-announces-bell-partnership-for-special-forces-chopper-bid/

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1034x546/dbf714ed_86af_4bc0_8c39_84a87c21c3cb_fb248b80ca3610c3281818c de540354ac377a1b2.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/916x480/3ea9c918_dffd_47a6_bb3f_674c6f9bfa71_fba4363250fefe35523028e 9832e7c750f1d0ea1.jpeg

[havick]

This particular requirement calls for one type, of which 4 can be transported in the back of a C-17. Besides AW109, Airbus is offering its H145M and NorthStar Aviation its Bell 407-based MRH (as currently flown by the UAE). Would expect MDHI and Boeing to offer the 530F/G and AH-6i respectively also.

I would bet on the H145M personally. While the Tiger and NH90 have been problematic for Airbus, the H145/H145M is very much a success story, and Germany fielding it specifically in a SOF role.

Babcock is putting forward the 429

[chopper2004]

Airbus forming Team Nightjar

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/07/airbus-forms-team-nightjar-to-deliver-australian-industry-capability.html

https://www.teamnightjar.com.au

cheers

[JohnDixson]

SAS’ comment reminded of the Vietnam lessons that were then translated into the requirements for the next generation US Army vertical lift machines, i.e., requirements specifying crashworthiness standards, ballistic survivability and vulnerability standards for the rotors and controls systems, crew seats, engines and fuel systems. Special Ops aircraft underlying assumption is that the environment is likely hostile.