Helis, April 12, 2018 - Australian Defence Forces NH90 helicopter, the MRH90 Taipan, achieved over 30,000 flight hours.
The MRH90 is in the 10-tonne helicopter class and is capable of carrying two pilots, two loadmasters and 18 combat troops up to 900 km at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Is powered by 2 Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322-01/9 engines.
The NH90 is manufactured by NHIndustries, a company owned by Airbus Helicopters (ex Eurocopter in 62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and Fokker (5.5%) and as of today, almost 350 of these helicopters have been delivered in the 2 main versions NFH (naval) and TTH (army) to customers in 13 nations.
Selected in 2005 to be used by both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy, the first 4 were built in France and further 43 were assembled locally by Australian Aerospace (an Eurocopter subsidiary) in Brisbane. The new Multi Role Helicopter MRH90 Taipan, as it was named, is based on the TTH.
In July 2014, the Australian National Audit Office released a report citing a series of procurement errors and development deficiencies delaying the final operational capability (FOC) but most of the problems were reportedly been addressed by end of 2015. A new report disclosed in November 2017 cited the reliability, availability and maintainability deficiencies continued to impact the fleet.
In February 2016, MRH90 were deployed aboard new assault carrier HMAS Canberra to Fiji for relief operations after Cyclone Winston hit the area.
Today, most of the MRH90 serves with the Army's 5th Aviation Regiment while 11 are serving in the support role with the Navy's 808 Squadron which was re-activated in 2011. The Special Forces support unit, 6th Aviation Regiment, is expected to finally replace their aging Black Hawk in 2019
The MRH90 is in the 10-tonne helicopter class and is capable of carrying two pilots, two loadmasters and 18 combat troops up to 900 km at speeds of up to 300 km/h. Is powered by 2 Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM 322-01/9 engines.
The NH90 is manufactured by NHIndustries, a company owned by Airbus Helicopters (ex Eurocopter in 62.5%), Leonardo (32%), and Fokker (5.5%) and as of today, almost 350 of these helicopters have been delivered in the 2 main versions NFH (naval) and TTH (army) to customers in 13 nations.
Selected in 2005 to be used by both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy, the first 4 were built in France and further 43 were assembled locally by Australian Aerospace (an Eurocopter subsidiary) in Brisbane. The new Multi Role Helicopter MRH90 Taipan, as it was named, is based on the TTH.
In July 2014, the Australian National Audit Office released a report citing a series of procurement errors and development deficiencies delaying the final operational capability (FOC) but most of the problems were reportedly been addressed by end of 2015. A new report disclosed in November 2017 cited the reliability, availability and maintainability deficiencies continued to impact the fleet.
In February 2016, MRH90 were deployed aboard new assault carrier HMAS Canberra to Fiji for relief operations after Cyclone Winston hit the area.
Today, most of the MRH90 serves with the Army's 5th Aviation Regiment while 11 are serving in the support role with the Navy's 808 Squadron which was re-activated in 2011. The Special Forces support unit, 6th Aviation Regiment, is expected to finally replace their aging Black Hawk in 2019
See also |
NH Industries MRH90 Taipan
