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PM to announce deal on 46 hi-tech helicopters
Ian McPhedran
19jun06
A EUROPEAN consortium has won a $2 billion contract to supply helicopters to the army and navy. Prime Minister John Howard will travel to Defence headquarters in Canberra today to announce that Australian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Eurocopter Industries, will provide the Australian Defence Force with 46 MRH-90 multi-role helicopters.
A total of 350 jobs will be created at the firm's plant at Brisbane airport, including 200 for assembly and 150 maintenance positions. The twin-engine machines will be used for troop lift, transport and counter-terrorism and amphibious operations, and will replace Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters.
The European manufacturer NH Industries (62 per cent Eurocopter, 32 per cent Agusta Westland of Italy) will build the components and the machines will be assembled in Brisbane. Australian Aerospace employs 300 people and is part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, a German, French and Spanish consortium. At least 24 MRH-90s will be based with the army's 5th Aviation Regiment at Townsville, 12 will be housed with the 4th Battalion (Commando) at Holsworthy, six at HMAS Albatross at Nowra in NSW, and four will be devoted to a training centre at Oakey, west of Brisbane.
End of the line coming up for Australian Blackhawks
The Government selected the medium-lift MRH-90 ahead of the next-generation Black Hawk helicopter from US firm Sikorsky. It is understood Sikorsky offered a very competitive price in a bid to win the contract. The decision signals the end of the Black Hawk's 20-year run with the ADF.
A Eurocopter Tiger doing a loop at a Paris airshow
Eurocopter Tiger with weapons systems
Eurocopter Tiger in a hangar
Eurocopter Tiger doing what it does best
The army is already being equipped with 12 MRH-90s and 18 Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters. The medium-lift machines can carry 18 troops, small vehicles, or 4000kg of cargo, and include a rear ramp. The new order will be for at least 34 choppers under a $5 billion plan to rationalise the ADF's helicopter fleet. The $2 billion price tag includes investment of $100 million at Holsworthy for a maintenance base, $30 million at Townsville and $40 million at Nowra.
The first of the 12 troop-lift machines is due to be delivered in December 2007, and the remainder by December 2009. They were supposed to be available a year earlier, but technical problems have slowed the process. Several European customers have also had technical delays with the NH-90 version of the machine. Almost 400 of the helicopters have been ordered by 11 countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Oman, Greece, Spain, Italy, New Zealand and Australia.
The MRH-90 has a corrosion-free composite air frame and a fully electronic flight control system resulting in lower operating and maintenance costs. According to Australian Aerospace, it is capable of carrying more troops and more equipment further and faster than other helicopters of the same weight.
Link
Here is more on the story from the defence site
MRH 90 is now ours
By Cpl Damian Shovell
MRH-90 in its NH-90 European livery
Manufacturer: Australia/Eurocopter
Powerplant: Two Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 generating 1788 kW(Max)
Cruise: 300 kmh (Max)
Range: (Ferry) 1150km (Max)
Carries: Up to 18 troops and four crew or 4000kg underslung. Rear ramp enables loading light vehicles.
Cabin: Flexible configuration.
Avionics: Digital, state-of-the-art, flyby- wire.
THE purchase of 12 MRH 90 helicopters has been confirmed - representing a 50 per cent increase in Army’s airborne troop-lift capability and considerable changes in Army aviation units in preparation for MRH 90 delivery in 2007.
Brigadier Mark Patch signing the contract
Director General Army Aviation Systems Brig Mark Patch said the signing of the acquisition contract between Australian Aerospace and Defence in Canberra earlier this month signified the beginning of the program that will deliver the aircraft into service.
“This contract signature really gives DMO the authority to deliver what will be an outstanding capability,” he said.
He said the MRH 90 was specifically selected to operate from the RAN’s current and future amphibious ships and will enhance Army’s troop-lift capability by 50 per cent.
“The first two aircraft will be delivered in December 2007 and the last will be delivered very early in 2010.”
To read the rest
Ian McPhedran
19jun06
A EUROPEAN consortium has won a $2 billion contract to supply helicopters to the army and navy. Prime Minister John Howard will travel to Defence headquarters in Canberra today to announce that Australian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Eurocopter Industries, will provide the Australian Defence Force with 46 MRH-90 multi-role helicopters.
A total of 350 jobs will be created at the firm's plant at Brisbane airport, including 200 for assembly and 150 maintenance positions. The twin-engine machines will be used for troop lift, transport and counter-terrorism and amphibious operations, and will replace Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters.
The European manufacturer NH Industries (62 per cent Eurocopter, 32 per cent Agusta Westland of Italy) will build the components and the machines will be assembled in Brisbane. Australian Aerospace employs 300 people and is part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, a German, French and Spanish consortium. At least 24 MRH-90s will be based with the army's 5th Aviation Regiment at Townsville, 12 will be housed with the 4th Battalion (Commando) at Holsworthy, six at HMAS Albatross at Nowra in NSW, and four will be devoted to a training centre at Oakey, west of Brisbane.
End of the line coming up for Australian Blackhawks
The Government selected the medium-lift MRH-90 ahead of the next-generation Black Hawk helicopter from US firm Sikorsky. It is understood Sikorsky offered a very competitive price in a bid to win the contract. The decision signals the end of the Black Hawk's 20-year run with the ADF.
A Eurocopter Tiger doing a loop at a Paris airshow
Eurocopter Tiger with weapons systems
Eurocopter Tiger in a hangar
Eurocopter Tiger doing what it does best
The army is already being equipped with 12 MRH-90s and 18 Eurocopter Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters. The medium-lift machines can carry 18 troops, small vehicles, or 4000kg of cargo, and include a rear ramp. The new order will be for at least 34 choppers under a $5 billion plan to rationalise the ADF's helicopter fleet. The $2 billion price tag includes investment of $100 million at Holsworthy for a maintenance base, $30 million at Townsville and $40 million at Nowra.
The first of the 12 troop-lift machines is due to be delivered in December 2007, and the remainder by December 2009. They were supposed to be available a year earlier, but technical problems have slowed the process. Several European customers have also had technical delays with the NH-90 version of the machine. Almost 400 of the helicopters have been ordered by 11 countries including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Oman, Greece, Spain, Italy, New Zealand and Australia.
The MRH-90 has a corrosion-free composite air frame and a fully electronic flight control system resulting in lower operating and maintenance costs. According to Australian Aerospace, it is capable of carrying more troops and more equipment further and faster than other helicopters of the same weight.
Link
Here is more on the story from the defence site
MRH 90 is now ours
By Cpl Damian Shovell
MRH-90 in its NH-90 European livery
Manufacturer: Australia/Eurocopter
Powerplant: Two Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 generating 1788 kW(Max)
Cruise: 300 kmh (Max)
Range: (Ferry) 1150km (Max)
Carries: Up to 18 troops and four crew or 4000kg underslung. Rear ramp enables loading light vehicles.
Cabin: Flexible configuration.
Avionics: Digital, state-of-the-art, flyby- wire.
THE purchase of 12 MRH 90 helicopters has been confirmed - representing a 50 per cent increase in Army’s airborne troop-lift capability and considerable changes in Army aviation units in preparation for MRH 90 delivery in 2007.
Brigadier Mark Patch signing the contract
Director General Army Aviation Systems Brig Mark Patch said the signing of the acquisition contract between Australian Aerospace and Defence in Canberra earlier this month signified the beginning of the program that will deliver the aircraft into service.
“This contract signature really gives DMO the authority to deliver what will be an outstanding capability,” he said.
He said the MRH 90 was specifically selected to operate from the RAN’s current and future amphibious ships and will enhance Army’s troop-lift capability by 50 per cent.
“The first two aircraft will be delivered in December 2007 and the last will be delivered very early in 2010.”
To read the rest