New Helos for the RAN
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New Helos for the RAN
The long awaited decision is out- from the ABC website today-
Australia is buying 24 Lockheed-Martin Seahawk combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion, Defence Minister Stephen Smith has announced.
The MH-60R 'Romeo' choppers will replace the existing Seahawk fleet and will come into service over the period 2014 to 2020.
Announcing the purchase, Mr Smith said the US-built Seahawk was chosen ahead of a rival bid from Australian Aerospace, which offered the European-designed NH90 NFH.
"It's a proven capability - it's currently being used by the US Navy. It is the updated version of the Seahawk that we currently use which it is replacing," Mr Smith told reporters at Parliament House.
"It is interoperable with our alliance partner the United States and because of its proven capability it's low risk and we very strongly believe it's value for money."
"This has been through a competitive process - the competitor was Australian Aerospace with the NATO Frigate helicopter, but we have decided to choose the 24 Romeo Seahawks."
Dipping Sonar is back again
Australia is buying 24 Lockheed-Martin Seahawk combat helicopters at a cost of over $3 billion, Defence Minister Stephen Smith has announced.
The MH-60R 'Romeo' choppers will replace the existing Seahawk fleet and will come into service over the period 2014 to 2020.
Announcing the purchase, Mr Smith said the US-built Seahawk was chosen ahead of a rival bid from Australian Aerospace, which offered the European-designed NH90 NFH.
"It's a proven capability - it's currently being used by the US Navy. It is the updated version of the Seahawk that we currently use which it is replacing," Mr Smith told reporters at Parliament House.
"It is interoperable with our alliance partner the United States and because of its proven capability it's low risk and we very strongly believe it's value for money."
"This has been through a competitive process - the competitor was Australian Aerospace with the NATO Frigate helicopter, but we have decided to choose the 24 Romeo Seahawks."
Dipping Sonar is back again
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Don't forget to add another $1 billion for the wasted Seasprites.
I also wonder if the Army will scrap the Nato's and go upgraded Blackhawks
and just try to have some sort of commonality with the US.
The other good thing about buying US at the moment is they are a heap cheaper than they were a few years ago !!!
.
I also wonder if the Army will scrap the Nato's and go upgraded Blackhawks
and just try to have some sort of commonality with the US.
The other good thing about buying US at the moment is they are a heap cheaper than they were a few years ago !!!
.
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I.I,
I think you'll find the debate over wise expenditure of tax dollars is pretty heavily skewed towards political point scoring rather than defence stuff-ups.
And the stuff ups that did happen were probably caused by the pollies inluencing procurement decisions by deciding which electorate needed the votes!
I think you'll find the debate over wise expenditure of tax dollars is pretty heavily skewed towards political point scoring rather than defence stuff-ups.
And the stuff ups that did happen were probably caused by the pollies inluencing procurement decisions by deciding which electorate needed the votes!
Yes. At last, sense prevails.
A main reason given was compatability with US in operations, and MOTS with no mods. This is the problem with the European choppers we have bought: Tiger still not achieved IOC, and MRH-90 a developmental design.
A main reason given was compatability with US in operations, and MOTS with no mods. This is the problem with the European choppers we have bought: Tiger still not achieved IOC, and MRH-90 a developmental design.
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Let's hope sense continues into the future and more decisions are based along these lines mentioned above instead of votes or some perceived "good deal" as determined by DMO.
Now that the ADF are sticking with the 'Hawk' frame in some capacity, would this open up the possibility of 171 sticking with a new Hawk frame as well as opposed to the MRH for the spec ops role?
Logistically is the Romeo similiar to the latest Blackhawks - engines, drive trains et al (realise the avionics/mission suite is different)?
Logistically is the Romeo similiar to the latest Blackhawks - engines, drive trains et al (realise the avionics/mission suite is different)?
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oldpinger
"Maybe one or two of those stealthy ones!
"
No use to us, we need our helos to go into combat for that and our pollies won't allow it (or at least these one's).
We need to buy another Chinook anyway to replace the one we have just lost
so why not make it 2 or 3 of them - just wishful lateral thinking !!! LOL
"Maybe one or two of those stealthy ones!
"No use to us, we need our helos to go into combat for that and our pollies won't allow it (or at least these one's).
We need to buy another Chinook anyway to replace the one we have just lost
so why not make it 2 or 3 of them - just wishful lateral thinking !!! LOL
500N: We need to buy another Chinook anyway to replace the one we have just lost so why not make it 2 or 3 of them - just wishful lateral thinking !!! LOL
Good idea 500, as 7 x Fs is not a viable force. At least a further 3 are required.
I don't think it is certain that the 5 x Ds are to be kept anyway - bear in mind 4 of these were 1973 C models, upgraded to Ds.
Good idea 500, as 7 x Fs is not a viable force. At least a further 3 are required.
I don't think it is certain that the 5 x Ds are to be kept anyway - bear in mind 4 of these were 1973 C models, upgraded to Ds.
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Is that all we have. Not good, especially now we don't have the Caribou either.
I spoke with an Ex Inf Sgt yesterday, he was in the Air Mobile Inf Regt (2 RAR ?).
In all the years he was in, they only ever did one Air Mobile exercise with real helo's !!!
Is that all we have. Not good, especially now we don't have the Caribou either.
I spoke with an Ex Inf Sgt yesterday, he was in the Air Mobile Inf Regt (2 RAR ?).
In all the years he was in, they only ever did one Air Mobile exercise with real helo's !!!
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Could this be the start of the Gov't actually buying OTS hardware without major mods and understanding that what the US Def Forces do is more than what we are likely to ask the equipment to do.
or is that really wishful thinking ?
I suppose it could depend on how close t an election we are !!! LOL
or is that really wishful thinking ?
I suppose it could depend on how close t an election we are !!! LOL
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500-
I think we're there already, C17, Super Hornet, some of those UAV thingies and that Gray thing arriving from the poms the Largs Bay.
Not sure if we've mucked up the new tankers that much
At least with the MRH90 the navy and army are using exactly the same aircraft...even if it doesn't quite work.
I think we're there already, C17, Super Hornet, some of those UAV thingies and that Gray thing arriving from the poms the Largs Bay.
Not sure if we've mucked up the new tankers that much
At least with the MRH90 the navy and army are using exactly the same aircraft...even if it doesn't quite work.
The RAN has refused to accept the MRH90 todate and it is a very bad decision for them. Lots of issues identified including lack of "plastic" repair facilities afloat vs. fixing a sheet metal "ding" for one. No auto blade fold for ops off smaller ships. Not fully compatible with Navy radio world. No radar like Sea King. The list goes on...
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read this not long ago about MRH-90;
According to a 2010 Bild report, German Army experts deem the helicopter to be utterly unusable for the transportation of combat troops. Among other things they complained that the seats are only suitable to carry 110 kg (240 lb) maximum weight—not enough for a fully equipped soldier. Weapons cannot be sufficiently secured during transport. The floor is too weak and can be damaged by dirty combat boots. The helicopter can only land on firm ground, with obstacles not exceeding 16 cm (6.3 in). Troops carrying full equipment cannot board/leave the helicopter, as the access ramp is too weak. Adding a doorgun is not possible due to the lack of space
According to a 2010 Bild report, German Army experts deem the helicopter to be utterly unusable for the transportation of combat troops. Among other things they complained that the seats are only suitable to carry 110 kg (240 lb) maximum weight—not enough for a fully equipped soldier. Weapons cannot be sufficiently secured during transport. The floor is too weak and can be damaged by dirty combat boots. The helicopter can only land on firm ground, with obstacles not exceeding 16 cm (6.3 in). Troops carrying full equipment cannot board/leave the helicopter, as the access ramp is too weak. Adding a doorgun is not possible due to the lack of space