2RHPZ
06-20-2004, 11:42 AM
Helicopters hit by flak
By LINCOLN WRIGHT
20jun04
THE Royal Australian Navy's new helicopter can carry either extra fuel tanks or a missile -- but not both -- according to a whistleblower.
The defence industry insider says it does not have the power or endurance to be an effective long-range weapon.
Despite costing $1.1 billion, the RAN's Super Seasprite program is in tatters, the whistleblower alleges.
The 11 Super Seasprites were purchased to give Australia's eight Anzac frigates extra firepower, with Defence Minister Robert Hill describing them as "arguably the most advanced" maritime helicopters in the world.
But trials aboard HMAS Parramatta have shown they are incapable of long-range operations with the anti-ship Penguin missile, the critic says.
There were also serious problems with the helicopter's gears. Examiners classify the helicopter as deficient in the Aviation Maintenance and Flight Trials Report.
Some have second-hand airframes dating to the 1960s.
They are supposed to be front-line weapons, carrying Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedoes as an alternative to the Penguins.
But the US has already mothballed them.
It has offered some free of charge to countries such as Turkey, Greece and Thailand.
According to a source close to the program, the running time for the helicopters is just one hour, with 20 minutes of fuel in reserve.
When extra fuel tanks were fitted to increase the flying time, the helicopter was too heavy to carry the Penguin.
Opposition defence spokesman Chris Evans said the Seasprites were a prime example of the Government's failure to get on top of critical defence purchases.
"The whole thing has been a fiasco. It's four years late and the Seasprite still does not have the arms to do the job it was designed for," Senator Evans said.
The Defence Department has denied the allegations, saying the flying time with a full load was in excess of three hours.
When the Penguin missile was fitted along with an extra fuel tank, a Defence spokesman said the flying time was more than two hours, with 20 minutes in reserve.
But Defence confirmed there was an accident during a landing of the helicopter in the trials aboard Parramatta.
The main landing gear of the helicopter smashed into the securing device.
Defence said Kaman Aerospace was now fixing the securing device
By LINCOLN WRIGHT
20jun04
THE Royal Australian Navy's new helicopter can carry either extra fuel tanks or a missile -- but not both -- according to a whistleblower.
The defence industry insider says it does not have the power or endurance to be an effective long-range weapon.
Despite costing $1.1 billion, the RAN's Super Seasprite program is in tatters, the whistleblower alleges.
The 11 Super Seasprites were purchased to give Australia's eight Anzac frigates extra firepower, with Defence Minister Robert Hill describing them as "arguably the most advanced" maritime helicopters in the world.
But trials aboard HMAS Parramatta have shown they are incapable of long-range operations with the anti-ship Penguin missile, the critic says.
There were also serious problems with the helicopter's gears. Examiners classify the helicopter as deficient in the Aviation Maintenance and Flight Trials Report.
Some have second-hand airframes dating to the 1960s.
They are supposed to be front-line weapons, carrying Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedoes as an alternative to the Penguins.
But the US has already mothballed them.
It has offered some free of charge to countries such as Turkey, Greece and Thailand.
According to a source close to the program, the running time for the helicopters is just one hour, with 20 minutes of fuel in reserve.
When extra fuel tanks were fitted to increase the flying time, the helicopter was too heavy to carry the Penguin.
Opposition defence spokesman Chris Evans said the Seasprites were a prime example of the Government's failure to get on top of critical defence purchases.
"The whole thing has been a fiasco. It's four years late and the Seasprite still does not have the arms to do the job it was designed for," Senator Evans said.
The Defence Department has denied the allegations, saying the flying time with a full load was in excess of three hours.
When the Penguin missile was fitted along with an extra fuel tank, a Defence spokesman said the flying time was more than two hours, with 20 minutes in reserve.
But Defence confirmed there was an accident during a landing of the helicopter in the trials aboard Parramatta.
The main landing gear of the helicopter smashed into the securing device.
Defence said Kaman Aerospace was now fixing the securing device