NASHVILLE, Tenn.–Australia’s plans for a 21st century army with improved mobility include acquiring the newest F version of the Boeing [BA] Chinook helicopter, and continuing the procuring European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS) MRH-90 helicopters, the government said.
Boeing builds the CH-47F and EADS and Australian Aerospace produce the MRH-90.
Minister for Defence the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon May 2 said the government will replace the current fleet of six CH-47D Chinook helicopters with a new fleet of seven CH-47F aircraft as part of the 2009 Defence White Paper.
“With a lift capacity of about three times that of a Black Hawk, the Chinook is a critical component of the Army aviation fleet, providing support ranging from tactical and intra-theater battlefield lift for our soldiers to regional humanitarian assistance,” Fitzgibbon said.
Last month, the U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a potential $560 million sale to Australia of seven F-model Chinooks under the Foreign Military Sales program (Defense Daily, April 28).
According to the Army, a contract could come early in 2010, with deliveries in 2013.
“Operations in our region will require the rapid movement of land combat forces across dispersed operational areas, which will continue to place a heavy demand on our medium- lift helicopter capability, particularly in areas of rugged or high terrain, heavy vegetation and challenging roads and airfields.”
Australia will be operating the same aircraft configuration as the U.S. Army, which has a fleet of around 500 aircraft.
These aircraft will have improved Electronic Warfare Self-Protection systems and maintenance arrangements, which will increase their operational effectiveness and employability across the battlefield. In addition, keeping them at the U.S. standard allows Australia to take advantage of the most cost effective development, engineering, training, and spares support systems by leveraging off the U.S. Army systems.
“The government is also continuing with the acquisition of the MRH-90 helicopters,” Fitzgibbon said. “The Army will operate 40 MRH-90 helicopters that will replace its Black Hawk troop lift aircraft, of which seven helicopters will be used for common flight training with the Navy.
The new, larger and more capable helicopter will enter service in 2011, he said.
“We’re extremely happy to support the Australian customer with a program that is on schedule and a program that brings aerospace manufacturing capability to Australia,” Tim Paynter, an EADS spokesman, told sister publication Defense Daily at the Army Aviation Association of America annual conference here.
The program will consist of 46 aircraft. Five aircraft have been delivered–the first four were produced and integrated in Europe, but the fifth aircraft was built and integrated in Australia at a new facility, he said. This is the same business model as used in the United States for the UH-72 A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter.
The 2009 Defence White Paper represents the most comprehensive statement on Defence ever produced, the government said in a statement.