The Australian Department of Defence has spared the Royal Australian Navy's Kaman SH-2(G)A Super Seasprite project from cancellation, but warns that the US company must meet stringent new performance targets if the fleet is to finally enter frontline service.
Defence minister Brendan Nelson ordered a comprehensive review of the struggling project in April 2006, and later suggested that the navy's 11 aircraft could be disposed of.
But "after detailed consideration of the issues involved, the government has decided to continue the Seasprite project, subject to satisfactory contract arrangements", he says. "The return to flying will involve a series of controlled steps to assess the contractor's performance." The navy now expects its Super Seasprites to achieve initial operating capability in 2011, and full operating capability around 2013.
Source: Flight International