Rotor Torque

Draft Rft Issued for Anzac & Opc Helos

The Navy has issued a draft Request For Tender (Rft) for industry comment on its requirement for as many as 30 maritime surveillance helicopters to equip its forthcoming Anzac class frigates and Offshore Patrol Combatants (Opc). The Ran requires eight aircraft plus options to equip the eight Anzac frigates currently under construction under project Sea 1411 and for between nine and 12 helicopters for the forthcoming Opcs under Sea 1427. The Rft will call for an intermediate class, two crew helicopter in the 2950 to 6130kg (6500 to 13,500lb) class. Equipment fit would include search radar, Flir and a secure datalink with the mothership. The helicopters for the Anzac frigates would also be equipped with air-to-surface missiles (such as Sea Skua, Exocet or Penguin), while the Rft will also require a full flight simulator. Although the helicopter projects for the two different ship classes are separate, the Navy intends to procure a common type for both, and contractors will probably be asked to bid for the two projects under the one tender document. While the Anzac frigates will be equipped to operate Sikorsky Seahawks, it is likely because of costs that a smaller aircraft would be acquired. Potential contenders include the Agusta Bell Ab.212 or Ab.412, Eurocopter Panther (militarised Dauphin), Kaman Sh-2g Seasprite, Sikorsky S-76 and the Westland Super Lynx. The two projects are expected to be given funding approval in the May budget, which will allow a formal Rft to be issued in June. From there contract signature could take place in June 1996, and the first helicopters could be delivered from early 1999.

Us Army Shelves Plans to Sell Surplus Uh-1s

The Us Army has suspended plans to sell surplus Uh-1 Iroquois and other helicopters on the civil market following an uproar from current helicopter manufacturers. Instead the Army will now place the 200 or so surplus Uh-1s expected this year in storage at Davis Monthan. The service’s recent practice of selling surplus machines at low prices has angered helicopter manufacturers who see an already contracting market being flooded by cheap to acquire, high capability ex-military machines. The manufacturers have cited concerns over safety, from the points of the view that the aircraft would have unknown histories, were built to military and not civil standards and that their low acquisition price could mean the aircraft find their way into the hands of operators unable to cover the high maintenance costs of helicopters, and thus would try to save money by scrimping on safety. Further, Bell in particular is concerned about the product liability implications of hundreds of its machines suddenly ending up in the hands of civil operators. Thus far the Us Army has supplied a small number of helicopters to public sector organisations such as local police and emergency services.

Nz Firm Wins Antarctic Support Contract

Helicopters (Nz) Ltd, through its Helicopters (Australia) subsidiary, has won a $5m contract to supply pilots, maintenance staff and five aircraft to support Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition operations. The three year contract begins this August and will see three Squirrels and two Sikorsky S-76s, plus pilots and support staff based in the Antarctic. The aircraft will be used to conduct scientific surveys and ferry equipment to and from supply ships and between the two main Australian stations of Casey and Davis, which are over 1500km apart. Helicopters had been negotiating with Anare since last September and won the contract over four other companies.

Usn Starts Search for Ch-46 Replacement

The Us Navy has begun initial work on finding a replacement for its Boeing Ch-46d replenishment helicopters, earmarking procurement funding for a replacement from the Fy98 budget. The new utility helicopter would perform a variety of functions including vertical replenishment (Vertrep), Vertical On-board Delivery (Vod), all weather search and rescue, airhead operations, support of Seal and Navy special forces operations, aeromedical evacuation and torpedo and drone recovery. The Navy would purchase a development of a current aircraft and not fund development of a new aircraft. Likely contenders would include a utility version of the Sh-60 Seahawk, designated the Ch-60, the Eh 101 (McDonnell Douglas has teamed with Eh Industries to offer the aircraft to meet the requirement), the Eurocopter Panther (Super Puma), a growth version of the Bell 212/412 and even the single seat Kaman K-max. While the K-max cannot perform Vod missions the Navy will conduct a cost and operational effectiveness study to look at tradeoffs. Alternatively the Ch-46s could undergo a life extension programme. Initially the Usn intends acquiring 22 aircraft to replace the oldest aircraft in its 98 strong Ch-46d fleet.

New Rescue Helicopter Services for Queensland

The Queensland State Government has agreed to provide $19.5m in funding over two years to allow the improvement and extension of helicopter aeromedical and rescue services in key centres throughout the state. The funding will allow wide ranging improvements including the negotiation for contract availability for a helicopter operation on Thursday Island, and allow the establishment of new, community based, government subsidised aeromedical helicopter operations in Mackay, Rockhampton, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Extra funding will also allow an increase in staff levels — two pilots and four rescue crewmen — at Townsville to allow 24 hour Sar/Ems capabilities. Meanwhile Cairns will get a new twin engined Ifr capable medium helicopter to replace the current single engine As 350 Squirrel, three new pilots, six rescue crewmen and 24 hour coverage. Brisbane will also get a new twin engined Ifr helicopter to replace the current As 355 Twin Squirrel, and extra staff – two pilots and five rescue crewmen — to allow 24 hour coverage. Other funding has been allocated to fixed wing air ambulance and Rfds operations.

First Year of Md 630n Production Sold Out

Such has been the response to the surprise appearance of a flying prototype of the seven/eight place Md 630n at Heli-expo ’95 that the first year’s production was sold out on the first day that advance purchase orders were offered. The appearance of the Md 630n at this year’s Hai Heli-expo caught the helicopter world unawares and has generated much publicity for the as yet unlaunched aircraft. A final decision on production go-ahead is expected by the second quarter of this year, which would allow the first Md 630ns to be delivered before the end of 1996. The Md 630n development aircraft flew for the first time on November 22 last year, 138 days after the project was first approved. The concept of a stretched Md 520n was first publicly announced on November 8, but the existence of the flying prototype was kept secret until late January. The prototype is actually a converted Md 530f demonstrator. Changes included a fuselage stretch, lengthened skid landing gear, a plug to extend the tailboom, a sixth main rotor blade, a more powerful Allison 250-c30r and uprated transmission. Launch orders for the Md 630n came from Air Star, a Grand Canyon tourist operator. In other Notar news, McDonnell Douglas is offering the Md 520n with a new, heavy duty transmission that should lower operating costs through reducing transmission workload and potentially doubling the time between overhaul. The new transmission, once certificated by mid year, will be offered on all Md 500 series aircraft.

Osprey Design Frozen

The final design of the Bell-boeing V-22 Osprey has been frozen after successfully passing a Us Navy Critical Design Review (Cdr). The Osprey has survived recent rounds of Us defence spending cuts relatively unscathed, and the Pentagon has approved production of 425 Cv-22 transports for the Us Marine Corps and 48 Usaf special operations Mv-22s, close to the two services requested totals of 507 and 55 respectively. Funding for the acquisition of the first four Cv-22 production aircraft is expected from Fy97, while five will be funded in Fy98, seven in Fy99, eight in Fy2000 and nine in Fy2001, allowing the Usmc to declare an initial operational capability in 2001. Funding for the Usaf aircraft is planned to begin from Fy2001, allowing a Usaf Ioc of 2005. Current design work on the V-22 programme as part of the engineering and manufacturing development phase is aimed at reducing the revolutionary tilt rotor’s weight and unit cost. The aircraft is currently 160kg (360lb) under the Cdr’s target weight and 600kg (1320lb) below the end of contract target weight of 15,000kg (33,040lb). The aircraft’s unit cost though is currently estimated at $us35m, a 17% reduction on the highest previous calculation, but still above the design-to-cost target of $us29.4m.

Mcdonnell Douglas Order Success

McDonnell Douglas’s expanding helicopter line is going from strength to strength. McDonnell Douglas delivered 35 light helicopters in 1994, comprising 33 Md 500 series and two Md Explorers, compared with 1993 when the company delivered 26 Md 500 series aircraft. Latest orders for Mdhs aircraft include three plus six options for Md 520ns from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The department has flown Hughes 300s and then Md 500s since 1972. Meanwhile three Japanese companies between them have placed the largest order yet for Md Explorers. Aero Asahi has ordered 15, these aircraft being variously used for a number of roles including news gathering, corporate charter and aeromedical work. Two other Japanese companies have placed single orders for Explorers. They will be delivered from later this year through to 1999.

Briefs

Helicopter Resources has repositioned a Bell 206b Jet Ranger from Strahan to Devonport in Tasmania. The aircraft is for charter, with prospective customers including police, fire, Forestry Dept, media and the mining industry. Hiller has acquired the Supplemental Type Certificates to convert its own Uh-12 and Bell 47s to turbine power from Soloy. Hiller hopes to establish a re-engining line at Newark, California. After much debate, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has allowed Warrnambool based Helicopter Operations to conduct with conditions scenic flights over the Twelve Apostles from a proposed Port Campbell base. The proposal was the subject of a 14 month long battle, the plan being opposed on environmental and noise grounds. Growing restrictions on helicopters operating scenic flights in tourist areas seems to be a worldwide trend, with the Us Faa restricting helicopter sight seeing flights in the Grand Canyon and Hawaii. A citizens action group in Juneau, Alaska meanwhile hopes to restrict helicopter operations to nearby glaciers and opposes the proposed introduction of heli-hiking to the area. As part of its final hour efforts to secure a Royal Air Force contract for 40 support helicopters, Boeing is offering a 200% offsets deal if Britain purchases 30 or more Chinooks. If the Raf orders less than 30 aircraft Boeing would guarantee a minimum offset arrangement of 100%. The Chinook is in competition with the Eh 101, although a mixed order between the two is a possibility. Tridair is aiming for inflight start-up certification for its twin engine 206l Gemini St conversion in 1996. Such certification would allow the aircraft to takeoff on a single engine and then start up the second engine inflight, something currently only possible in emergencies (the Gemini St is currently certificated for single or twin engine operation). Tridair will install Allison 250-c22s with Fadec. Bell meanwhile, which builds twin engined 206ls based on the Gemini St conversion as the Twin Ranger, will not pursue similar certification. Japan’s Fuji Heavy Industries is proposing that it switch current licence production of the Ah-1s, which is due for completion in 1996, to the four bladed, twin engined Ah-1w to meet the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force’s Ah-x attack helicopter requirement. The Ah-x requirement is designed to replace the Ah-1s, with the Japanese military currently favouring the Ah-64 Apache. While favoured, the Apache maybe considered too expensive. Eurocopter sold 133 new helicopters during 1994, comprising 56 singles, 48 light twins, 24 medium lift twins and five heavy lift twins, plus 62 second hand helicopters. Overall, Eurocopter Group revenue fell by 12% from the previous year to 9bn Ff ($a2.4bn). The company delivered 149 new helicopters during 1994. Schweizer has launched a lower cost variant of the 300c, the 300cb, aimed primarily at training institutions. The 300cb is expected to be certificated by May, with deliveries following soon after. Sikorsky has begun flight testing a new, wider chord rotor blade on a Uh-60l Black Hawk testbed, aimed at a proposed Us Army blade upgrade programme later in the decade. The new composite blade is 16% wider than a standard Uh-60 blade and features an anhedral tip angled down at 20 degrees. Tests results show that the new blade significantly decreases vibratory hub loads, allows an increase in payload and increases speed and manoeuvrability. The Russian government is funding series production of the single seat Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopter. Series production originally began in 1993 at Progress’ Arseneyv plant in the Russian far east but lack of funding brought work to a halt. Kamov is also working on a two seat Ka-50, which may debut at next year’s Asian Aerospace at Singapore. The Us Defense Department has again decided not to reinstate production of the Rah-66 Comanche attack helicopter. Currently, funding is budgeted for the completion of the aircraft’s development only.