The first of 11 Kaman SH-20(A) Super Seasprites for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be delivered during the first half of 2001, with all deliveries completed halfway through 2002. Contract negotiations on the purchase were concluded in June.
The helicopters will be operated from the RAN's ANZAC frigates, now being introduced into service. They will be fitted with the Kongsberg Penguin anti-shipping missile system. The final sensor and avionics configuration will be related to a pending decision on forward-looking infra-red and electronic-support-measures systems for the navy's Sikorsky S-70B2 Seahawks, for which the RAN is still in negotiations.
Australia has also concluded a contract with British Aerospace, named preferred tenderer in late 1996, to supply the Hawk 100 to meet the Royal Australian Air Force's lead-in fighter requirements and air-support tasks for the Australian Defence Force.
The Hawk is planned to be introduced into service in 2000 to replace the Air Force's Aermacchi jet trainers.
A total of 33 Hawks, along with spares and technical support and training equipment, will be acquired over a three-year period. The first 12 aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with the remaining 21 assembled by Hunter Aerospace at Newcastle, New South Wales.
Source: Flight International
