The Royal Australian Navy's aviation activities represent a significant capability shortfall, performing "below par" for some years, says a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Costs have been high and performance low, the report says, citing a cost per flying hour figure of A$59,500 ($38,000) for the navy, compared with almost A$29,400 for the Australian army. The navy counters that the report is overly simplistic, and says a more accurate comparison would be with similar types of helicopter operated by other navies.
The navy flies 16 Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, six Westland Sea King 50 transports and 13 Eurocopter AS350 trainers, but lacks anti-ship missiles, active dipping sonar and state-of-the-art ASW engagement capability, the policy institute says.
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Australia is considering a replacement for its Seahawks and cancelled Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites under Project Air 9000 Phase 8. The institute names NH Industries' NH90 and Sikorsky's MH-60R as credible contenders. The NH90 has significantly more capacity in some roles and offers 80% commonality in airframe and avionics with the army's MRH90, while the cheaper MH-60R meets all essential requirements and is more mature, it adds.
The Department of Defence is looking to acquire around 27 helicopters, with a decision to be made between fiscal year 2015-16 and 2017-18 and deliveries sought between 2017 and 2019.
Source: Flight International
