Slater Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 Is this order to replace or supplement existing helicopters? https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Australia 22-51 CN.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 To replace the disastrous NH90 procurement/ premature retirement maybe? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerperal Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I'd presume these are to help replace the NH-90s they oh so loathe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 This probably explains it more... https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43472/australia-has-had-enough-of-its-dysfunctional-mrh90-helicopters 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 What a shame it seemed like a good replacement sized helo for Pumas and Sea King...merlin or at least legacy varients have never really cut the mustard in my opinion. Although the noggys seem to like them but conversely they have rejected their NH90 ....interesting. I watch with interest who has bought a new order of LHD helos at the end of the month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairystick Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 It is a very sensible move. Oz already operates 24 Seahawk-R's, so dumping the nh90 pieces of junk is a good solution. Economy of supply chain and logistics for maintenance makes sense too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junglierating Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 3 hours ago, hairystick said: It is a very sensible move. Oz already operates 24 Seahawk-R's, so dumping the nh90 pieces of junk is a good solution. Economy of supply chain and logistics for maintenance makes sense too. True but having one type of platform also has its problems ....think cracking airframe or GBX component and your whole fleet is grounded....potentially Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Blackhawk has been around for so long that I would think any potential issues have long since been sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 5 hours ago, Slater said: Blackhawk has been around for so long that I would think any potential issues have long since been sorted. You think that but the RAF had a Chinook Fwd and Aft gearbox problem many a year ago and the type had been in service with other forces beforehand for a fair few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted August 29, 2022 Author Share Posted August 29, 2022 From today's (29 Aug 22) US DoD contract announcements: "Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is awarded a $503,718,672 firm-fixed-price order (N0001922F2291) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0017). This order provides for the production and delivery of 12 MH-60R aircraft for the Commonwealth of Australia. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (52%); Stratford, Connecticut (40%); and Troy, Alabama (8%), and is expected to be completed in October 2026. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $503,718,672 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted August 29, 2022 Author Share Posted August 29, 2022 Interesting that the original estimated cost when the Australian MH-60R request was made was $985 million and the contract award price is $505,718,672, so quite a disparity: https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Australia 21-61 CN.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 19 hours ago, Slater said: Interesting that the original estimated cost when the Australian MH-60R request was made was $985 million and the contract award price is $505,718,672, so quite a disparity: https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Australia 21-61 CN.pdf DSCA lists the maximum potential contract value, should all options be exercised as per the Letter of Request. The contract value is negotiated against the Letter of Offer/Acceptance & will be a dollar figure below that. Sustainment costs are separate again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 8, 2023 Share Posted August 8, 2023 First two UH-60Ms delivered. Two UH-60Ms for the Australian Army were delivered to RAAF Richmond via USAF C-17 on 30 July. They’ve now been flown to Luscombe Field at Holsworthy barracks in Sydney’s south west. Very plain Jane US Arny-spec Mikes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted August 8, 2023 Author Share Posted August 8, 2023 Looks like the same overall green scheme as US Army Blackhawks. Didn't Australian operate some that were a camo pattern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 2 hours ago, Slater said: Looks like the same overall green scheme as US Army Blackhawks. Didn't Australian operate some that were a camo pattern? Yep, the S-70A-9 fleet was three-colour camouflage. Originally acquired by the RAAF, it had some customisations that’ll be missed when the UH-60Ms enter service. Centreline, outward facing seating vs. tiered seating, cabin steps, & the Fast Roping Rappelling Device that supported ten soldiers simultaneously airborne rappelling or two fast ropers vs the FRIES system (two each). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 9 hours ago, Slater said: Looks like the same overall green scheme as US Army Blackhawks. Didn't Australian operate some that were a camo pattern? I always thought that was quite an attractive scheme for the Blackhawk compared to the standard green. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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