Skyhawk returns home 18 years later
A former RAN TA-4G Skyhawk is returning to Australia nearly 20 years after it was sold to New Zealand, and will take up its new home at the Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum. The McDonnell Douglas built aircraft, serial No. N13-154911, served with the RAN’s... [Continue reading]
OPINION – Bell 429 for RMI is clever marketing
Raytheon Australia’s replacement of its Agusta A109E Power helicopters it has operated since 2007 for the Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) at Nowra with three new Bell 429s was a clever bit of marketing on the company’s behalf. Not... [Continue reading]
Navy’s RMI retires A109, prepares for 429
The RAN’s 723SQN retired its three Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) flight Agusta A109E Powers on March 9, in preparation for the arrival of its first new Bell 429s next month. The retirement ceremony was conducted after a flight around the... [Continue reading]
Naval Fleet Review, next Pacific Maritime show planned for October 2013
A international naval review and the next Pacific International Maritime Exposition will be held in Sydney in October 2013, to coincide with the centenary of the arrival of the first Royal Australian Navy fleet into Sydney in 1913. “In October of 2011,... [Continue reading]
Australian Aerospace reveals HATS plans
Eurocopter subsidiary Australian Aerospace has confirmed it will bid in its own right as a prime contractor for the ADF’s Air 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program with an offering based on the EC135 helicopter. “Australian... [Continue reading]
Boeing/Thales settle on EC135 for ADF bid
Boeing Defence Australia and Thales will offer the Eurocopter EC135 as a training platform to the ADF for the Air 9000 Phase 7 – Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) project. The Boeing/Thales offering will compete with several other platforms,... [Continue reading]
Choules arrives home in Sydney
The RAN’s new amphibious ship, the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) HMAS Choules, sailed into its new homeport of Sydney on December 21. “It was terrific to see her sail through Sydney Harbour flying the White Ensign for the first time,” Commander of... [Continue reading]
End of an era as 817SQN decommissions
The Royal Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters and 817 Squadron have closed out 35 and 48 years of service, respectively, with a final flight held at HMAS Albatross near Nowra. The flight was made as part of a decommissioning ceremony on Friday attended... [Continue reading]
Sea Kings make final flight
The Navy’s last three Sea King helicopters made their final flight today, marking the end of 35 years of service. The flight also marked the end of the line for Nowra based 817 Squadron, which will stand down with a formal ceremony on Friday after 48... [Continue reading]
15th MRH 90 delivered
Australian Aerospace has delivered the ADF’s 15th MRH 90 Multi-Role Helicopter, the second MRH delivery in the two weeks since the program was placed on the government’s projects of concern list. The MRH 90 will replace Army’s Black Hawks and Navy’s... [Continue reading]
Defence takes 14th MRH 90
Australia accepted its 14th MRH 90 helicopter yesterday as the program was placed on Government’s projects of concern list. Primary contractor Australian Aerospace is due to produce 46 of the medium lift helicopters to replace Army’s Black Hawks and... [Continue reading]
