iscover
The new order will bring the total AW139 fleet between LifeFlight and its joint-venture partner StarFlight to 20 by the end of 2027, which the aeromedical organisation says will enhance its capability for EMS, search and rescue, and law enforcement missions.
As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, the S-70A Black Hawks have not yet been approved by CASA to carry non-military passengers, meaning they could not be used to fly firefighters and other emergency personnel to disaster zones and could only be used as water bombers.
The sustainment contract will create over 75 new jobs in Nowra at Sikorsky Australia’s maintenance and logistics support facility, building on its existing workforce of 200.
VH-XIX was conducting aerial spraying of herbicides near Boorowa, 50km east of Young Airport, on 4 December when radio contact with the pilot was lost 15 minutes after its 10th spraying run, the ATSB said in its preliminary report.
Fifteen months after the first aircraft commenced flying in 2023, the completion of essential testing, evaluation and training activities has occurred alongside the establishment of a robust fleet support and maintenance system.
The Lockheed Martin company expects the Black Hawk modernisation program involving the new GE Aerospace turbine engines to boost aircraft performance, combat capabilities and range. The Australian Defence Force has purchased 40 Black Hawks to replace its now-retired fleet of 47 Airbus-built MRH-90 Taipans.
PROFILES
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