Australia has selected the Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite naval helicopter, together with the Kongsberg Penguin Super Mk.2 anti-ship missile, for its Navy's new ANZAC-class frigates. New Zealand, which is also buying a naval helicopter, expects to make a decision shortly.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) initially intends to order 11 helicopters, slightly fewer than it had originally planned, but with the provision for an unspecified number of additional machines in the future. The Government hopes to finalise contracts with Kaman and Kongsberg by the middle of the year and take delivery of the first SH-2G in 2001.
Australia's decision will come as major disappointment for GKN Westland, which was strongly pushing a LHTEC T-800-powered version of the Super Lynx. "Kaman was assessed as offering the best all round proposal-with its Seasprite/Penguin combination of sensor and weapon systems, as well as support through the life of the helicopter," says Australian defence minister Ian McLachlan.
Attention will now turn to the New Zealand Government, which has been delaying any final decision on its choice of helicopter and missile until the RAN selection had been completed. The Royal New Zealand Navy has a slightly more austere requirement and its evaluation completed last year is believed to have favoured the Lynx.
"Now that the Australians have announced their preferred tenderer, the Government can again look at the Ministry of Defence's proposal. Although the two projects have been conducted independently, there has been a great deal of collaboration," according to New Zealand defence minister Paul East.
The Lynx is understood to have fallen short on several RAN requirements, including payload performance. Its preference for the longer-range active-guided Penguin over the lighter British Aerospace Sea Skua or OTO Melara Marte systems favoured the larger General Electric T700-powered SH-2G platform. "The missile selection has driven the helicopter selection," says an Australian defence source.
Source: Flight International