Defence Update – New Helos for Army?

The project is likely to provide three facets of the capability enhancement sought, such as: (a) Acquisition and fitment of surveillance sensors to an in service fixed wing aircraft; (b) Acquisition of new reconnaissance helicopters, fitted with integrated sensors, night pilotage system, self defence armament and electronic warfare self protection; and (c) Acquisition of new fire support helicopters, possibly with an element of “commonality” with either the Air 87 reconnaissance helicopter, another Army helicopter or another ADF helicopter.

A significant improvement over current capability is sought because both the current Nomad fixed wing aircraft and the Kiowa light observation helicopter are able only to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance visually, by day, and in fair weather. To detect and identify an enemy both must close to within visual distance and thus within the range of likely weapons. The current UH-1H Iroquois helicopter gunship also has a day only, fair weather capability. Its radius of action and its speed is significantly less than the Black Hawk helicopter airmobile capability it supports.

Colonel Coulthard said that modern training devices will feature in Air 87 to maximise training efficiencies and minimise overall fleet running costs. Training devices envisaged include flight/mission simulators, part task trainers, computer assisted training and maintenance simulator(s). The project has been endorsed by the HQADF’s Concepts and Capabilities Committee (CCC). Another HQADF committee, the Force Structure Policy and Programming Committee (FSPPC) commissioned the PDS which began in May this year and will run until December 1995. However there will be an interim PDS report to the FSPPC in July 1995.

The Australian Army currently operates 43 Kiowas. They first entered service in the early 1970s. Of the ADF’s 25 Huey (UH-1H) which date back to the 1960s and the Vietnam conflict, eight provide the Army’s gunships. The Army also has 22 Nomads which came into service in the late 1970s. The balance of Australia’s Army Aviation Corps aircraft total of 150 planes and helicopters is made up by Black Hawks.

The Army flies about 35,000 hours a year. The Corps has around 1450 personnel, including those supporting the flying activities. The Army Aviation Regiment’s and Aviation Corps’ headquarters are located at Oakey, near Toowoomba in southern Queensland. The 161st Reconnaissance Squadron, which operates Kiowa helicopters, is based at Holsworthy on Sydney’s south western outskirts. The squadron is to relocate to Darwin within 12 months. The other Kiowa squadron, the 162nd, operates with the Operational Deployment Force’s 3rd Brigade at Townsville. The 5th Aviation Regiment also is based at Townsville, and its Huey gunship flight also is there. The 173rd Surveillance Squadron, operating Nomads, is based at Oakey.

The Project Definition Study aims to further refine options, examine industry and acquisition aspects, provide an interim report (as mentioned earlier) and finally produce major capability submissions and equipment acquisition strategies. It will involve analysis to ensure an appropriate relationship is maintained with strategic guidance and market research for mission equipment and airframes. Initial working level analysis suggests that to carry the required mission equipment and offer a realistic range and endurance, the reconnaissance helicopter will probably be in the 3.5 to 5 tonne class. Such a size will allow for future development such as a mid life update or life extension. An important factor is inbuilt mission survivability.

In simple terms survivability is seen firstly as avoiding being detected. But if detected the objective to be avoid being engaged. If engaged, the aim is to avoid being hit. But if hit, then avoid being downed and being able to continue to operate. If downed, the objective is to survive the crash. Survivability is achieved by reducing signatures, maximising detection of the enemy, electronic countermeasures, self defence armament, system redundancy, ballistic tolerance and crashworthiness.

The fire support helicopter is likely to be required to have speed, range and endurance comparable with the troop carrying Black Hawk helicopter. The reconnaissance helicopter is expected to have the ability to carry out missions out to about 160km radius of action, with about one hour on station. Again range and endurance comparable with Black Hawk will be desirable. For the fire support mission, the weapon range will need to “overmatch” so that enemy forces can be engaged outside the range of their weapons. Initial working level analysis suggests the fire support helicopter will need a heavy machine gun or light cannon (ie: 12-20mm), plus rockets. The recce helicopter could have an off axis machine gun or light cannon. Both helicopters will need to have an accurate day/ night fire control system. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is likely to offer the best technology for surveillance. Thermal imagery, combined with CCD TV, may prove the most promising technology for reconnaissance. The choice of the sensors is a most important part of the PDS.

An overseas visit was undertaken earlier this year by Major Neil Turton, who is the Air 87 Project Officer. The trip mainly related to how Britain conducted its study into its project which seeks to acquire an attack helicopter. Major Turton held discussions with the UK Ministry of Defence in London, and the British Army Air Corps Centre at Middle Wallop. (The UK new attack helicopter shortlist is believed to be the US McDonnell Douglas Apache, the Italian Agusta Mangusta A129, the US Bell Huey Cobra Venom and Eurocopter’s Tiger. The Boeing Sikorsky Comanche, which is under development, also may be considered, as could be the South African Rooivalk, which has been offered.)

“We may be able to draw lessons out of the UK studies, and apply their operational analysis and methodology to our study”, Colonel Coulthard said.