Rotor Torque

The retirement ceremony was conducted after a flight around the Nowra and Jervis Bay region by the three A109s, and a water cannon salute by Nowra fire tenders. The three aircraft entered service in 2007 on a lease arrangement supported by Raytheon Australia, and combined have flown more than 6000 hours in that time providing development opportunities for trainee helicopter pilots waiting for operational conversion to Navy helicopters.

“The A109 provided a fantastic opportunity for naval aircrew to gain experience on an advanced twin engined aircraft prior to commencing operational flying training in either Sea King, Seahawk or MRH 90 helicopters,” said 723SQN CO CMDR Matthew Shand.

Under an RMI extension granted last year, Raytheon will replace the A109s with three new Bell 429s, the first of which flew at Hawker Pacific’s Bankstown facilities in late March. Raytheon is also bidding the Bell 429 for the ADF’s AIR 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircraft Training System (HATS) requirement, tenders for which close on April 19.

Lockheed To Upgrade Romeo Cockpit

The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$1.05 billion contract to provide more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the MH-60R Romeo and MH-60S Sierra helicopters.

The new multi-year contract includes 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for the MH-60R and 62 digital cockpits to complete the Navy’s program of record for Sierra aircraft, used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, and close-in defense of Navy ships.

“U.S. Navy crews operating the 300-plus MH-60 Romeo and Sierra helicopters already in the fleet understand just how critical these aircraft are to protecting our ships from surface and undersea threats,” said Rear Adm Paul Grosklags, U.S. Naval Air Systems vice commander. “This contract represents the Navy’s commitment to build and field the most technologically advanced maritime helicopter fleet in the world.”

Added Dan Spoor, vice president of aviation systems for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors (MS2) division: “This contract award ensures uninterrupted, on-time deliveries of the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter to the U.S. Navy fleet. Plus the multi-year structure, versus an annual contract, allows us to provide our customer with more than 10 per cent savings annually, surpassing Pentagon cost predictions.”

Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit common to the MH-60R and MH-60S, and integrates the mission systems and sensors aboard the MH-60R helicopter in Owego in New York.

Md Announces Md 540f

MD Helicopters has released details of its MD 540F which it is aiming at the US Army’s armed aeriel scout (AAS) helicopter requirement
A development of the MD 530F, the 540F features a six bladed fully articulated rotor blade system made up entirely of composite material, and a more rugged landing skid built for heavier take-off and landing weights.

“This aircraft will be a game changer for our company,” said Lynn Tilton, CEO of MD. “The commercial and military markets have long sought an affordable, light, single engine helicopter that can perform exceptionally well at hot and high altitudes while carrying a larger useful load. The MD 540F will be that aircraft. Our engineers have bolstered performance to achieve a dramatic increase in max gross take-off weight and useful load capability. This increase will allow the MD 540F to carry a full avionics and weapons package while hovering at 6,000 feet/95 deg F.”

The MD 540F will also feature a fully integrated digital glass cockpit with multi-function colour displays, and a Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS). The weapons system will include fixed forward firing rockets and guns, laser guided rockets, and Hellfire missiles. A targeting FLIR with laser designator will be integrated with the HDTS and the weapons system.

Eads Ups Aas Ante

EADS North America has unveiled an enhanced contender for the US Army’s Armed aerial scout (AAS) requirement to replace the OH-58D Kiowa at the annual Army Aviation Association of America convention in Nashville.

Dubbed the AAS-72X+, the new machine builds upon the previous AAS-72 concept but adds features from the commercial EC145T2 including more powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines with FADEC, a Fenestron tail rotor, an upgraded transmission, the Helionix glass cockpit and avionics suite, and a four-axis autopilot system.

Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America Chairman and CEO said: “This latest evolution of the Armed Scout gives us the option of offering an even more capable system, to ensure our combat troops have the very best aircraft available to meet their demanding missions. We look forward to demonstrating the advanced performance of the AAS-72X+ during the Army’s Voluntary Flight Demonstration this [northern] summer.”

The AAS-72X+ is an armed derivative of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter of which more than 210 have been delivered to date, and will be manufactured by the company’s American Eurocopter business unit in Columbus, Mississippi.

Careflight Training Heroes

RACQ CareFlight says it has taken delivery of two new Pilot Training Simulators for its Gold Coast and Toowoomba bases as part of its Training A Hero Project.

Costing over $150,000, the simulators were acquired to help reduce the growing costs of pilot training for the charitable rescue service. CareFlight’s Head of Aviation, Jeremy Ovens said: “A pilot training simulator will be priceless when training our pilots as these currencies must be conducted every 90 days. This can add up when you have to fly in a live aircraft, using up fuel. This typically costs around $130,000 annually in a live aircraft but with the introduction of Pilot Training Simulators this cost will be significantly reduced. “

The funds for the simulators were raised through the Training A Hero Project from CareFlight supporters. “Without the generous contributions from CareFlight supporters, CareFlight wouldn’t be able to carry out these necessary training and equipment upgrades,” said Ovens. “Now all these savings can be directed back into saving lives.”

Briefs

* A contract was signed on April 5 between Eurocopter and PT Dirgantara Indonesia/Indonesian Aerospace for the supply of six EC725 to Indonesia. Scheduled for delivery in 2014, Indonesian Aerospace will customise the machines for the combat search and rescue tole, and deliver the machines Indonesian Air Force under a contract signed with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence last month.

* The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the BK117-850D2 engine upgrade. This STC allows for the replacement of the standard BK117-B2 750hp engines with upgraded 850hp engines, providing significantly improved One Engine Inoperative (OEI) performance and allowing the BK117-850D2 to achieve true Category A standard

* The US Army has revealed plans to upgrade 760 of its UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with new digital avionics and to refurbish elements of the airframes. The Army predicts the upgrade will give the machines 10 years of additional service life, and that it can be performed during scheduled maintenance. Called the ‘L-digitization’ program, funding has been allocated from 2013

* India is expected to open commercial bids for its heavy lift helicopters competition in May. The two competing aircraft are expected to be the Boeing CH-47F Chinook and Russian Helicopters Mi-26.

* Sikorsky has reportedly offered to manufacture and assemble complete helicopters locally if it is chosen to supply 16 Seahawk helicopters to the Indian Navy. The machines would be assembled by a joint venture with Tata called Tata Sikorsky Aerostructures.