Defence downselects Helicopter Aircrew Training System bidders
Three tenderers have been down-selected to move to the second phase of the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) competition. Teams led by Australian Aerospace (EC135), Boeing Defence Australia (EC135) and Raytheon Australia (Bell 429) will now go... [Continue reading]
MH-60R training milestone achieved
The first Australians have complete their initial MH-60R Romeo qualifications, marking a milestone in the AIR 9000 Phase 8 Project. Members of the Integrated Test Team (ITT) LCDR Simon Lam, LCDR Joshua Carey and LEUT Timothy Clerke form the MH-60R test... [Continue reading]
Stopwatch reset – again – for MRH90
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed an agreement with Australian Aerospace and its industry partners the Defence Minister says will “help put the MRH90 helicopter program back on a positive footing”. The agreement “re-baselines the... [Continue reading]
First LHD named ‘Canberra’
The first of two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships was officially named NUSHIP Canberra in a traditional Navy ceremony at BAE Systems’ Williamstown, Victoria yards. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Defence... [Continue reading]
Sea Kings sold for parting out
Five of the Navy’s retired Sea King helicopters, withdrawn from service in December 2011, have been sold to Aerospace Logistics (ASL), which plans to part them out to sustain operations of the type elsewhere in the world. Announcing the sale, Defence... [Continue reading]
Canberra LHD hull arrives
The hull of the future HMAS Canberra LHD amphibious ship arrived in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay on October 17, completing a nine week, 13,000nm voyage from Spain. LHD 01′s hull, built in Ferrol, Spain by Navantia, was transported to Australia... [Continue reading]
Navy inducts Bell 429s for RMI 2
The Royal Australian Navy has held a ceremony to induct three new Bell 429 helicopters into service as part of the Retention and Motivation Initiative 2 Program. The June 5 ceremony at HMAS Albatross was officiated by the Commander of the Fleet Air Arm,... [Continue reading]
LM & Bristow take their hat out of the Air 9000 ring
Lockheed Martin has confirmed it is not bidding for the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) project. The company’s Global Training and Logistics business had announced its teaming with Western Australia-based... [Continue reading]
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]
