Aus Army AW139s
 

Just heard from a refueler that the Aussie Army has put out a tender for AW139s? Are they going to be armed?

A "tender" for a single type from an OEM?

I heard this as well. 3x machines. Not armed but just to currency fly the bored pilots while they decide of they want to get new aircraft instead of the NH90 fleet.

Wow, A139's just to maintain currency instead of NH90?

And I thought the RNZAF was profligate in purchasing A109M for ab-initio training!

The army used to have some EC135 at Darwin to maintain proficiency while waiting for the Tigers.

And it will certainly be handy to be typed and current on one of the most commonly used EMS/SAR and Offshore heli platforms in Oz when you retire.

Were they not supplied in leui of penalty payments due to the overrun in the Tigers contract?

AW139 Leased or purchased ? No info on ADF tender website and no info on review of MRH future withdrawal either. Bit of scaremongering going on??

The precedent was set in 2007 when the Navy leased 3 A109's to give the new pilots something to fly while they waited their turn for conversion onto Seahawk etc.

Numpty:

Yes

If it's accurate... what a wonderful use of taxpayer funds when arguably a 109, 135 or even the IFR 119 would do the trick?

Could it actually be more about jobs for the boys on the taxpayer's ticket... again?

One hopes that there's a more sensible explanation or that it's actually rubbish.

Instead of training their pilots to leave, why not get H145 and/or B429 to evaluate them for the “little bird” project, and create a cadre of trained guys for when the little birds are finally chosen?

Careful w_ocker, that sounds like logic...

Then again the RAAF uses them for SAR operated and flown by CHC....

http://www.adf-serials.com/AW139.htm

Be nice to see AW139 painted in Oz camouflage or will they have the civilian colors of the successful nodded but with Army titles only.

cheers

any more Updates or links to this tender?

cheers

Chopper, bid deadline is tomorrow. Anyone with idle 139s expected to bid. Contract to start in November.

Bit more info out...https://adbr.com.au/army-seeking-interim-helicopter-capability/

Another article hinting to a further purchase beyond the 'interim' capibilty. More AW139s or perhaps something larger?

A high-level Defence official told ABC Investigations the ADF was considering major purchases, including a new fleet of cheaper, civilian-grade helicopters to respond to fires and floods.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-...rises/12821174

I do wonder if the matter is really more about a bunch of frustrated ./ bored Army aviators looking to qualify themselves sufficiently to leave the service? That would be just what the Aussie industry needs :P

Heard that Toll are the front runner for this... where are they getting machines from?

RREKN, anyone with idle 139s probably.

If you search the web you find plenty for sale with low hours and decent config. Most of Toll's existing fleet are bank financed and their parent company is huge and well capitalized so lots of financing options on the table. Or leasing of course, plenty knocking around if you know the people to call.

glad its a rumour network as Toll is always a front runner on every tendered contract in Australia.
What about the other rumours that their parent company isn’t happy with the losses being made on their current contract and want out.

Toll Group is currently owned by Japan Post whom I understand are trying to divest their holding. Rumour from the Bankstown refueller was that a Norwegian shipping company were interested in buying but not really interested in keeping the loss leading helicopter arm of the group.

oh this is hilarious from the armchair experts... yes, the helicopter part of Toll is running at a loss 😎. Maybe you guys need to talk to the Bankstown Aerodrome lawn mower guy for better info.... my pprune slumber has been awakened by the absolute BS being pushed here. Zzzz

[QUOTE=Turkeyslapper;10938084]oh this is hilarious from the armchair experts... yes, the helicopter part of Toll is running at a loss 😎. Maybe you guys need to talk to the Bankstown Aerodrome lawn mower guy for better info.... my pprune slumber has been awakened by the absolute BS being pushed here. Zzzz[/QUOTE

Oh how scary a big bad Toll monster has been woken up. Best keep our mouths shut or endure it’s wrath. For your info already spoke to lawnmower guy that’s where the info came from. Can’t you read.....

Professional Pilots RUMOUR Network. Just sayin......

I think you will find that in Australia, the onshore helicopter contracts held by Toll and Babcock make a dollar whereas the offshore ones held by Babcock lose money.

Photos from the repainters facebook page

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5cb2709d0e.jpg
AW139 VH-YBF in Army Markings

Gee, no expense spared with the custom Army paint job on that one!

And painting the kangeroo on the door means they can swop it between helicopters ;)

It's the winter snow-cam paint job, and I bet they paid top dollar for it.

Published in Army News today....and might I say, what an excellent choice for Army aviator's future career outside the Army.

Army's aviation capability has been enhanced with two Leonardo AW139 helicopters joining 5 Avn Regt in Townsville.

The two leased AW139s will be used to support Defence’s major exercises and training, and assist with emergency response activities including during the high-risk weather season.

The helicopters have similar performance to the MRH90 and will be used to support aircrew development and currency requirements when combat aircraft are not available.

The contract with Helicorp Pty Ltd (Toll Helicopters) has met all milestones, with training, aircraft serviceability, and flying hour requirements exceeding expectations.

Commander Army Aviation Command Maj-Gen Stephen Jobson said the AW139 contract would ensure Army aircrew were ready for operational tasking.

“ The Army interim commercial helicopter capability will provide Army aircrew with flying proficiency and currency training on an advanced digital aircraft,” Maj-Gen Jobson said.

“Maintaining these advanced digital cognitive skills is essential for operating complex modern combat helicopters now and into the future.”

The contract for the two leased Leonardo AW139 helicopters covers training, maintenance, logistics and continuing airworthiness support.

The initial contract ends on June 30, 2023, with options for two 12-month extensions.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....46bac69438.png

Wait, is this a defense acquisition that is actually working?

rrekn: Yes.

Sensbible ask, available and "cheap" aircraft. Civil register.

Easy.

Nice to see a sensible paint job for once. Somebody actually looking after tax payer money.
The current paint we use on our 139's is admittedly high spec and costs around $500 a gallon.
A three colour scheme requires you to hold $1500 of paint with a one year shelf life.
Not unusual to see a gallon thrown away with a couple of egg cups full used or unopened.
The one year shelf life is unopened but that gets ignored!!!!

It is one of the hidden costs of maintaining helicopters.
Could go on about Leonardo specifying sealer at $40 a go and requiring you to use enough to cover the end of a paintbrush.
Then specifying a totally different sealer for another job where you could use the same stuff.
Again all with shelf lives and plenty of it goes in the bin.

In addition subject to the lease companies agreement that colour might be acceptable at lease return saving another $20-30000.

You can't knock somebody for saving tax payer dollars.

I think that if saving tax payer dollars is the aim, shouldn’t we be looking at why the f*@k the Army is operating leased AW139s at all?

The Army doesn't have the operational capability they need from the helicopters they bought, so they rented a few helicopters to pick up the slack. In typical convoluted Army speak they came up with a good catch-phrase for that "Army interim commercial helicopter capability". That's why the General's get paid the big bucks to come up with fancy words like that.

Isn’t that story getting to be a bit too familiar?

Just as the RAAF contracted out their SAR requirement, in fact I'm wondering when all of the military will be put out to contract, we already have line aircraft maintenance, catering, and who knows what else. I'm sure all the contract agreements have a "no combat please" clause.

Contracting out SAR is a big money saver if you look at it short term. You don't have to worry about keeping your guy's current whilst still having a crew and aircraft available to cover the standby requirements. You just make that a contractor issue. It also frees the ADF guys up to focus on their primary roles.
When you aren't deploying those guys and the only output they give back is (an often weak attempt) at support to the high risk weather season you may see some benefit to having a SQN or troop who are current and trained in SAR type operations.