On July 30, 2023, a US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III (05-5151) cargo aircraft delivered the initial pair of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to RAAF Base Richmond (NSW) to be operated by the Australian Army.
A third UH-60M was delivered on August 4, 2023, again by a USAF C-17A (01-0187).
Australia officially announced the contract valued $1.95 billion in mid-January 2023. These new helicopters, part of a larger order for forty UH-60Ms, are set to replace the fleet of NHI (Airbus) MRH90 Taipan helicopters used by the Army Aviation Training Centre located at Oakey Army Air Field (QLD) and the 6th Aviation Regiment (AVN) stationed at Luscombe (NSW), more commonly referred to as Holsworthy Army Air Field.
Clearly depicted in the photograph, the new helicopters are registered as A60, with registrations highly likely to range from A60-001 to A60-040.
Australia was one of the first foreign users of the Black Hawk when it acquired 39 S-70A-9 based on the UH-60A in the 1980s. Those helicopters were retired in 2021.
The Australian Army has received the first 3 of 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to replace the MRH90 Taipan fleet
Tow tractor still on order!
Back on track for reliability and safety within the Australian Army Aviation!
Every army machine has had growing pains. The Nh90 is new and will suffer the same pains as literally every military aircraft has had in the past.
the Australian fleet had many challenges with ongoing serviceability issues and several incidents and a couple of major accidents over its lifespan. You will find a huge volume of publications that highlights the array of challenges / issues that were highlighlighted. Furthermore, it is not just Australia that has faced similar problems.
I am unsure why you say this. The NH90 when well maintained is a safe and reliable helicopter.
This is another gem of a statement…must not know your customer very well. Australia has some of the best maintained aircraft in the world. I should know, I flew with them and also saw first hand how they maintain their fleet. Get serious… 😂
Not sure what pains the BH has…maybe I’m ill informed…lol. Highly technical in some cases is nothing but a mission distraction, especially when you’re landing in the dirt everyday and forced to maintain that aircraft in austere environments. Those that actually do the fighting on a daily basis can attest to this and understand it well. Thus the decision to move on….
surely there were serviceability issues and major incidents and there are a few publications that highlight those but this should all be put in perspective.
Managing and maintaining a complex helicopter like the NH90 is and has been a challenge. I have seen many operators struggling with it and I have also seen some operators to be on top of it and showing a very good track record.
Surely there is something that can be said about the Industry that could perform better in supporting solutions, repairs and spares but like it has been said here as well, every army/navy/Air Force machine has it’s pains. Also the Blackhawk..
Why did Australia opt for the NH90 after stopping with their previously owned Blackhawks? There must be a reason.