RAN Super Seasprite facing the axe.

[ozanzac 0]

Quote[/b] ]

Grounded helicopters facing axe

Patrick Walters

May 15, 2006

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story....00.html

THE navy's trouble-plagued Super Seasprite helicopter fleet has been grounded and the $1 billion program is at risk of being scrapped amid concerns the aircraft is unsafe to fly.

Nearly six years after they were due to enter service, the Seasprites -- a vital anti-submarine and anti-shipping aircraft for the Navy's Anzac-class frigates -- have been banned indefinitely from operational flying.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has ordered a review of the project, with options ranging from scrapping the Seasprite and buying an alternative helicopter to persisting with its development.

Dr Nelson told The Australian last night that it was time to look at what was involved in "getting out of the program".

Navy chief Vice-Admiral Russ Shalders and air force chief Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd flew to the navy's aviation base at Nowra, on the NSW south coast, on Friday as part of a high-level review of the program due to be presented to Dr Nelson this week.

They were accompanied by the Defence Department's chief of capability development, Lieutenant General David Hurley, and the head of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Stephen Gumley.

Dr Nelson said that after receiving the report he would take a recommendation on the Seasprite's future to cabinet's national security committee.

If the aircraft was scrapped as a ship-borne war-fighting machine, the Government could turn to the US Seahawk helicopter or the European NH-90, at a replacement cost of more than $1 billion.

Dr Nelson told The Australian last night that software problems associated with the Seasprite's electronic equipment had affected flight safety.

"You could not have 100 per cent confidence in the software program that supports the pilot flying the helicopter to 100 per cent safety," he said. "It has required the chief of naval aviation to have it grounded."

Dr Nelson said it was unlikely the aircraft would resume flying, other than for test-pilot evaluations, before the end of the year.

Defence has estimated it would cost a further $100million to $200 million and take another two years to make the planned 11-strong fleet operational and fully equipped for maritime warfare.

Ten of the contracted aircraft have been delivered to the navy's HMAS Albatross base at Nowra but none has been accepted into full operational service. A senior Defence source said last night that the cheapest solution was to finish the Seasprite program.

"The choice is between spending an extra $100 million to $150 million or paying up to $1.5 billion for a new capability which won't be delivered for three or four years," the source said. About $950 million has been spent on the project so far.

Nearly a decade after the contract was signed with US firm Kaman Aerospace, in 1997, the Seasprite project has been dogged by software problems and the failure of earlier sub-contractors to provide the aircraft's sophisticated avionics package.

Dr Nelson said he believed problems with the Seasprite were having a "significant and detrimental effect" on morale at Nowra, particularly in the wake of the 2004 Sea King crash, which killed nine military personnel and led to the temporary grounding of the Sea King fleet.

The Seasprites are regarded as the most troublesome of Defence's so-called "legacy projects", which started before the Howard Government took office and have run years late and failed to meet original specifications.

The grounding of the Seasprites is a particular blow for the navy's 805 squadron, which has been working to train aircrew and ready the aircraft for service on the Anzac frigates. Defence sources say the squadron will now almost certainly have to be downsized.

The rumour amongst the media is that the federal government will pursue re-imbursement from contractors involved in the program via legal means, for failing to produce the helicopters to specification.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's fleet of five will continue to fly, impervious to the avionics glitches plaguing the Australian version.

[cozza 24]

soon our navy will be out of helicopters.

And when are we getting a aircraft carrier ?

[hellfish6 7]

It still boggles my mind that anyone would want an aircraft that has long since been declared obsolete. Why spend $1 billion to get a 30 year old helicopter when modern choices would be only slightly more expensive initially - though cheaper in the long term.

[SpongeBob 0]

Maybe Canada will sell you some of their amazing state-of-the-art Sea Kings, after Canada gets their new S-92 Cyclones in 2008.  

[Messiah 2]

It still boggles my mind that anyone would want an aircraft that has long since been declared obsolete. Why spend $1 billion to get a 30 year old helicopter when modern choices would be only slightly more expensive initially - though cheaper in the long term.

in addition, what anti submarine role with these aircraft ever see? it's the same reason why the british Lynx and Merlin aren't being equiped with torpedo's anymore... there's no justfiable threat to sanction them

[Tovarish 0]

Maybe Canada will sell you some of their amazing state-of-the-art Sea Kings, after Canada gets their new S-92 Cyclonesin in 2008.

[cozza 24]

I say get new planes to replace the F111. That things a fucking brick with wings.

[herman01 0]

Its not what would be right or what would make the most sense its all about who owns the most politicians. It almost crimianl the way goverments mismanage and also favor the contract that they've been lobbied to like. Well It could be a lot worse. Im US citzen and I get watch crooked politicians control and throw away billions of our dollars every year. No ones worse the the USA in this category.

ex. Armys commanche(Cancelled), F22 fighter(overprice didnt live up to expectations but locheed martin always manages to get congress to buy) , B2, V22 osprey(still working on it), apparently the f119 engine for the JSF not good enough Roll Royce and GE to build other versions(P&W f119 is a great engine), the marines harrier is hardly ever cleared for flight status. etc. the list could go on forever.

    Dont worry either we paying for this on our credit card, look at a lovely tower of govermental debt.

[dmakatra 1]

Let's all just live peacefully without any wars and we don't have to worry about this then.

[ozanzac 0]

It still boggles my mind that anyone would want an aircraft that has long since been declared obsolete. Why spend $1 billion to get a 30 year old helicopter when modern choices would be only slightly more expensive initially - though cheaper in the long term.

Yes, very true.

These helicopters were ordered to co-exist with a class of naval ship that never eventuated.

The project, should have been axed there and then, but it was thought a role for the Super Sea Sprite, still existed, for use aboard the ANZAC class frigates, for small deck, ASW operations.

Had the program delivered, on time, and on budget, there would have been few complaints, but, the RAN is in a bit of a struggle regarding rotary aircraft.

Our Navy's Sea Kings and Huey's should have sent to the reserves or retired years ago, the Sea Hawk's, are better utilised in other roles, whilist Kiowas and Squirrels are used for training purposes.

Considering how small the RAN fleet air arm is, it's mind boggling why so many different types are in operation, so killing off another type before it enters service, might be better in the long run, if the government doesn't bite the bullet and attempt to standardise the fleet.