Rotor Torque

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare originally ordered the review on February 1 this year in response to a number of delays in the program, which has seen the project up to 18 months late for introduction into the ADF. Those delays were the result of a number of issues with the MRH 90, including engine failure, transmission oil cooler fan failures, and the poor availability of spares for the helicopter. A total of 13 MRH 90s have so far been accepted by Defence for testing and initial crew training of ADF personnel.

Defence has planned a further diagnostic review of the project for later this year, to assess effectiveness of its recommendations and take any further action if necessary.

Usaf To Compete Hueys & Pave Hawk Replacements

The USAF has announced it will hold competitions to replace its remaining UH-1N Huey utility and HH-60G Pave Hawk personnel recovery helicopter fleets.

While many analysts had expected a sole source contract for various versions of the latest UH-60M Black Hawk would be awarded to fulfil both roles, the USAF indicated in late April that two separate competitions would be held. The UH-1Ns – dubbed the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform or CVLSP – are mainly used in the utility role in support of USAF ICBM missile fields and base support roles, while the HH-60G is a specialised armed and air refuellable combat search and rescue (CSAR) platform.

The USAF says it will be looking for “a derivative of helicopters already in production” to fulfil the roles, and that the “the ability of offerors to meet requirements at best value to the taxpayer will be invaluable.” It is still possible a common type will be selected for both roles, with obvious commonality support benefits.

An RFP for to replace the 93 CVLSPs is due to be issued during the northern summer, while the RFP for the replacement of 112 HH-60s is expected to follow sometime in 2012.

Ka-62 To Get Turbomeca Engines

The Russian Helicopters (Kamov) Ka-62 will be powered by Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines following the signing in late April of a contract between Russian Helicopters, JSC and French Turbomeca for the supply of at least 308 engines.

The modular Ardiden 3 engine features dual FADEC and is designed specifically for the 6-8 tonne helicopter market, and the 3G model will be unique to the Ka-62 which can carry 12-14 passengers or 2.5 tonnes of cargo. “I am delighted that we have signed this important supply agreement, underpinning our long-term relationship with Turbomeca,” Dmitry Petrov, CEO of Russian Helicopters said in a statement. “By working with an internationally renowned manufacturer we will undoubtedly promote Russian Helicopters in the global market.”

The Ka-62 has been designed for the oil and gas exploration market, for search and rescue mission, or for the corporate world, and is expected to achieve certification in 2014.

Eurocopter Delivers 1000th Dauphin

Eurocopter has delivered the 1000th Dauphin series helicopter, with the milestone machine being handed over to Indian operator Pawan Hans Helicopters.

The AS365 N3 joins Pawan’s existing fleet of 34 Dauphins, and will be configured for offshore oil and gas drilling missions. The Indian company is currently the world’s largest civilian operator of the twin-engine, medium weight helicopter. “The Eurocopter Dauphin is perfectly tailored to our needs, having successfully served us for 25 years,” executive director of Pawan Hans, Sanjiv Bahl, said.

“The 1000th Dauphin delivery is an historic moment for Eurocopter, and it is particularly appropriate that we are sharing the event with Pawan Hans, which is the civil operator of reference for this highly capable helicopter,” Eurocopter president and CEO Lutz Bertling stated.

Since the 1970s, Dauphins have seen service with some 300 customers in 69 countries, accumulating more than 5.1 million flight hours.

Sikorsky Reaches Mh-60 Production Milestone

Sikorsky has celebrated the production of 100 MH-60R and 200 MH-60S Seahawk helicopters for the US Navy, with both types having accrued a combined total of 460,000 flight hours in the service.

Designed to replace the CH-46D, UH-3H, HH-1N and HH-60H helicopters in service, the MH-60S Knighthawk entered service in 2002 and has flown more than 370,000 hours since. The MH-60R ‘Romeo’ entered service in 2006 and has accumulated 90,000 hours, replacing the SH-60B and SH-60F in US Navy service.

“MH-60 helicopters perform an important role protecting the fleet and its sailors, and conducting a host of multi-mission operations,” said Rear Adm Paul Grosklags, vice commander, US Navy Naval Air Systems Command. “Our Navy pilots and crew fly with the knowledge that these aircraft not only are proven operationally at sea, but are made by a company with a proven track record of helicopter manufacturing excellence.”

MH-60 airframes are manufactured by Sikorsky in Hartford, Connecticut. The MH-60R’s mission system is designed and installed by Lockheed Martin at Owego, New York.

The MH-60R is under consideration for the Royal Australian Navy’s Air 9000 Phase 8 Naval Combat Helicopter replacement program, a decision on which is expected by mid-year.

Boeing Supports Australian Kiowa Fleet For 60,000 Hours

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) reached the milestone of supporting the Australian Army’s 27 Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters for more than 60,000 flight hours in early April.

Boeing and its heritage companies have supported the Kiowa for 14 years, and since the Army Aviation Training & Training Support (AATTS) contract began in 2007, Boeing has trained more than 120 Kiowa pilots and performed maintenance on 19 ‘Kiowa’ trainers at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, and the 173rd Aviation Squadron’s eight ‘Kiowa’ utility helicopters at Holsworthy (see AA, May 2011).
BDA also trains the Army’s Black Hawk helicopter pilots, aircrew and technicians at Oakey, and CH-47D Chinook pilots and technicians at 5th Aviation Regiment at Townsville.

Eads Demonstrates Armed Aerial Scout Helo

EADS North America has demonstrated its self-funded AAS-72X helicopter at the Nashville International Airport to coincide with the annual US Army Aviation congress.

Based on the popular EC-145 civil medium twin and its UH-72A Lakota military light utility derivative, the AAS-72X has been developed with the assistance of Lockheed Martin. It is equipped with a Mission Equipment Package (MEP) that includes a chin mounted turret with integrated targeting sensor, manned-unmanned teaming capability, communications suite and weapons and is planned for the US Army’s armed aerial scout mission requirements.

Helicopters from Bell and Sikorsky are also expected to be bid for the requirement.

Briefs

A Northrop Grumman RQ-8B ‘Fire Scout’ Vertical Unmanned Aerial System has set a new single day flight record of 18 hours while on anti-piracy operations with the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. The UAS, embarked upon the FFG frigate USS Haliburton, was providing ISR data for anti-piracy work on February 11 when the milestone was recorded.

Alion Science and Technology has been awarded a two-year, US$6.6 million task order from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to support its Multi-Mission Helicopter (MMH) Program Management Activity (PMA-299). Alion will deliver technical, financial management, administrative and engineering expertise to support current and future Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of Seahawk helicopters, including the MH-60R Romeo.

Eurocopter and Vector Aerospace Corporation have entered into a Support Agreement pursuant to which Eurocopter will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Vector Aerospace by way of a take-over bid.

The first Bell OH-58 Block II helicopter made its first flight at Bell’s Forth Worth facility on April 14. The Block II is a substantially upgraded OH-58D Kiowa Warrior fitted with a new engine, transmission and rotor system, and the OH-58F’s Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) improvements. Bell hopes to offer the Block II for the US Army’s Armed Scout requirement.

Turkey has selected the T-70 Black Hawk for its new multi mission helicopter for various branches of its defence and security forces. The T-70 is based on the international S-70i version of the UH-60M Black hawk. Turkey’s initial requirement is for 109 helicopters, with follow on orders expected. Most of the helicopters will be assembled in Turkey by TAI, while Turkish companies will supply components to Sikorsky’s global supply chain.