News Review: Air 9000 Ph.8 - Australia requests MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopters | ADM Sep 2010

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress in July of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of 24 MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.1 billion.

Australia has requested a possible sale of 24 Romeos, 60 T-700 GE 401C Engines (48 installed and 12 spares), communication equipment, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment and other logistics support services.

It’s unusual, though not unprecedented, for Australia to make an FMS request and not go through with it; in a written response to a query from ADM, Defence stated, “There have been very few competitions where a tender has been issued together with a FMS request. AIR 9000 Phase 8 is a genuine competition with two legitimate contenders available through different sales mechanisms.”

However, it’s not clear what effect the disclosure (before tenders closed) of the value of the FMS request may have had on the tender process.

Tenders closed for Air 9000 Ph.8 in July; the Romeo is pitted against Eurocopter’s NH90 NFH, which is being offered under a commercial purchase arrangement.

MRH90 resumes flying operations

Meanwhile, the ADF resumed flying operations with its MRH90 helicopters in July following a temporary suspension after an MRH90 suffered an engine failure in one of its two main engines back in April.

Head of the DMO’s Helicopter Systems Division, Rear Admiral Mark Campbell, said an inspection regime and preventative measures have been developed to lift the current flying suspension.

He also says media reports alleging pilot error were a factor in the engine failure were incorrect.

“We are advised the failure resulted from compressor blade fracture due to contact with the engine casing,” RADM Campbell said.

The impact of the engine failure and other technical issues will delay the Navy’s deployment of the first flight at sea, which is now expected to occur in mid 2011.

The first Army capability objective of one deployable MRH90 troop will also be delayed.

Of the 46 MRH90 helicopters ordered for the Australian Navy and Army, 11 have been accepted and are being used for training and testing.

A final report on the engine incident is due later this year.