News Review: BAE Systems, Agusta Westland, team up on helicopter support | ADM Apr 2011

AgustaWestland and BAE Systems will establish a world-leading helicopter transmission test facility in Australia. The facility, known as a Multi-Purpose Test Bench (MPTB), will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

The MPTB is a state-of-the-art, high-tech repair and overhaul facility for helicopter transmission systems and flight critical dynamic components. This will deliver a critical in-country support capability to the ADF which in turn will guarantee a faster turn-around and cost-effective sustainment.

AgustaWestland is the leading European helicopter OEM and has operated its MPTB for over three decades.

The location of the new facility is yet to be decided, but in line with both companies’ strong commitment to regional development, the new facility will be built in regional Australia. It is expected to be operational by 2014 and attract high-end aviation technical support jobs. It will also be custom designed to meet the geo-seismic preconditions required to guarantee absolute stability during testing and analysis of gearboxes and transmission systems.

The facility will support the requirements for Air 9000 Phases 2, 4 and 6 and has the potential to support Phases 7 and 8, depending on which platform is selected.

AgustaWestland considered several potential partners in Australia for this high-tech capability. BAE Systems was selected based on its performance and track record in rotary wing maintenance and support. 

Under the agreement between the two companies, BAE Systems will provide maintenance, engineering, logistics support and administration.