Posted on 10/22/2009 5:26:20 PM PDT by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIA'S military chiefs favour the US over Europe in a planned $4 billion naval combat helicopter buy that is generating high-level concern among senior government ministers and local defence industry leaders.
In a classified submission sent to defence ministers John Faulkner and Greg Combet, the military chiefs have opted for the US Navy's MH-60R Seahawk as the best choice for the Royal Australian Navy's new rotary wing anti-submarine warfare platform.
The military chiefs favour an early decision on the Sikorsky MH-60R, arguing that it represents a cheaper, risk-free solution for Australia compared with its competitor, the European NH90 naval frigate helicopter.
The NH90 is a maritime version of the MRH90 now entering service with the Australian army. Its maker, European defence giant EADS, has established a strong industry presence locally with a workforce of 1000.
The clear military preference for a US solution troubles ministers, given the multi-billion-dollar investment in European combat helicopters by the Australian Defence Force in recent years.
Another concern is that selecting a new US helicopter will fly in the face of Defence's goal of reducing the types of helicopters flown by the ADF.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
Good heloporn here: http://www.sikorsky.com/StaticFiles/Sikorsky/Assets/Attachments/Mission%20Downloads/N-082%20August%202008.pdf
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What is your take on this, naturalman1975? I know you guys down under really liked the F-111’s you bought from us. (Still flying them, I see...)
I say: Thank God for the Aussies...;)
There’s a kindred spirit here, and also the knowledge that the equipment provided to our guys can stand up to the test for them as well. God Bless the Aussies!
Let’s hope our brothers in arms down under have better luck selecting helicopters than they have submarines...
Eh mate?
Actually, I believe the Collins class are extremely good boats. There were teething troubles but their effects were extremely exagerated in the media. And the same thing is happening now. The problems are nowhere near as severe as is being made out.
Personally, I don’t know enough about helicopters to have a real opinion on this. I’m just glad to see we seem to have a choice between a few decent options. Personally I’d rather our money to an American firm than a European one all things being equal - but I’ve no problem going European if what they’ve produced is better or better suited to our needs.
In this case, it looks like an American company can provide us with what we need, there’s no clearly better option. That’s enough for me.
No better friends to us Yanks than the Aussies
Good reply. I will be the first to admit, that I am willing to surrender some margin of some capability in a weapons system in order to retain domestic production capability, but I also admit to having realistic limits to that willingness.
There have been times in history where there is technology that makes the balance of capability so lopsided that to fail to acquire it by any means is very destructive to the warriors who may have to use it.
I do not think this is the case in this situation, though. I understand the concept of commonality of platforms, but the drawbacks of not making that a priority are far outweighed by the concept of getting excellent, robust and battle-tested hardware from a trusted ally.
Our countries go back a ways as dedicated partners in warfare. Better that we never had to fight any wars, but even better yet is being able to depend on someone if you do.
You can tell I am a fan of your country...:)
All I know about the problems with the Collins Class subs is what I’ve read in the past week or so, and it did not sound good. It sounds like they have some major design flaws in the engineering plant, and the last I heard they were talking about new engines. even replacing all the main bearings is major drydock work, and probably involves a hull opening to gain access to the plant.
Well, let’s face it. The Leftists in the world want to disarm everyone, but the conservatives everywhere understand that everyone won’t be “everyone”.
As such, they do all they can to discredit any weapons system they can. There are a lot of examples in my country. The F-111 was a great example. Even better was the Abrams tank, and the Bradley.
They crucified the Abrams, said it would be hopelessly useless in the desert sand and would be technologically neutered by unreliable hardware. It was magnificent in every use employed.
I read a book recently called “No True Glory” by Bing West. It is about the battle for Fallujah. There were parts in the book that I recall where when a Bradley showed up on the scene of a battle with its chain gun, the engaged Marines would feel that “Yep, we’re really going to give it to those bastards now” or “Thank God the Bradley is here”.
Sure, there are always turkeys in military terms, but they want everything to be a turkey. That way, they can get the program cancelled and use the money that was going to buy the military turkey, and put it towards turkey basters for Lesbians. Or, as Ann Coulter puts it, towards some other “comically useless” social program.
Hm. I hadn’t heard that. As a former Navy man, That sounds all bad. And any engineering design flaw on a sub is inherently ten times worse than a surface ship.
Hell, look at what happened to the USS Thresher. Design flaw. Gotta be careful with subs.
As a former brownshoe, let me help.
Helicopters don't fly. They beat the air into submission.
The rotor is held onto the rotor shaft by a big threaded nut. It's called the Jesus nut because if it ever comes loose, Oh Jesus!
Helicopter: A collection of junk vibrating together in close formation.
Autorotataion: The Mom Manuever. As in, "Don't worry Mom! See, if the engine conks out we can just autorotate into the freezing water!"
Good on ya’ mate. You won’t regret this choice. The Romeo is a good ASW helo.
TC
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