Specialist engineers from Babcock’s design and completions team are set to provide a range of transformative enhancements and upgrades to the Airbus H145 helicopters, including improving tactical and sensor systems and increasing surveillance capabilities.
In its final report into the accident, which killed both pilots of the Robinson R22 helicopters VH-HQH and VH-HYQ at Mount Anderson Station in the Kimberley on 25 July 2024, the ATSB found that operator Pearl Coast Helicopters had not set appropriate separation standards.
This first flight represents the safe operation of the Boeing attack helicopters being used by Australia’s military, marking a significant milestone in the growing capabilities of the Australian Defence Force.
Four people were killed and six others injured on 2 January 2023 when two EC130 helicopters collided mid-air minutes away from Surfers Paradise. On the opening day of the inquest, several videos were shown of the moment of the crash, which had been filmed by witnesses on their smartphones.
The pair of attack helicopters, acquired through foreign military sales with the US and manufactured by Boeing, were delivered by United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster to RAAF Base Townsville.
The first of the upgraded helicopters, VH-LF3, touched down in Mount Isa this week, with LifeFlight chief executive Ashley van de Velde saying the AW139 is the perfect search and rescue aircraft to cover the long distances in the region.