Introduction of Navy’s new maritime combat helicopters and
Joint Project 9000 Phase 7 contract signing for Helicopter Aircrew Training
What: The first of Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk Romeo, has arrived at Nowra and will be showcased for the first time. Representatives will also sign the contract for Joint Project 9000 Phase 7 (Helicopter Aircrew Training System).
When: Friday, 14 November – three separate opportunities:
Opportunity 1: 8:00-9:10am, HMAS Albatross, Nowra (media opportunity)
An MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime combat helicopter will be available for inspection. Another will provide a short flying demonstration before departing to Sydney in formation with a current model Seahawk S-70B-2.
Media should come to the HMAS Albatross Pass Office, Albatross Road, Nowra Hill, by 8:00am for pass issue. Photo identification required.
Opportunity Two: 9:10-9:30am, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra (media opportunity)
Head of Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems and Guided Weapons Division of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Rear Admiral Tony Dalton, will host the Joint Project 9000 Phase 7 contract signing for the new Helicopter Aircrew Training System to be based at HMAS Albatross.
On completion, Boeing Defence Australia will sign contracts with major sub-contractors, Thales Australia, Airbus Helicopters and Turbomeca Australia.
Opportunity Three: 9:45-10:05am, Sydney Harbour
(vision and stills)
A Seahawk Romeo will fly in formation with a legacy Seahawk S-70B-2 helicopter. The formation will overfly iconic Sydney landmarks and be available for photographic and video opportunities. A Navy B429 helicopter will accompany the Seahawks to capture aerial footage. This will be fed to the Parliamentary Press Gallery on completion.
The best land position to capture vision of the helicopters will be from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
Who: Member for Gilmore, Mrs Ann Sudmalis MP;
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett;
Head of Helicopters, Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems and Guided Weapons Division of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Rear Admiral Tony Dalton; and
Commander Fleet Air Arm, Commodore Vincenzo Di Pietro, CSC, RAN
Background:
MH-60R Seahawk Romeo
Navy’s newest maritime combat helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk Romeo, has arrived at HMAS Albatross from Jacksonville, Florida, and will operate with 725 and 816 Squadrons. Twenty-four are being acquired; three of which have been delivered to Naval Air Station Nowra over the last three weeks.
A number of Royal Australian Navy personnel have been training on the aircraft with the United States Navy. They will return to maintain, fly and support the aircraft in a phased approach over the coming months.
This $3.2 billion acquisition program, involving many agencies within Defence and industry, will provide Navy with a state-of-the-art helicopter-based war-fighting capability, and their delivery has been on time and on budget.
Helicopter Aircrew Training System
The Helicopter Aircrew Training System will be based at HMAS Albatross and will comprise 15 Airbus EC-135T2+ twin-engine helicopters and a suite of advanced synthetic training devices including three full-motion flight simulators. The system will train up to 130 Defence ab initio and instructor aircrew per annum, and provide up to 380 short-term and 80 on-going jobs in the Shoalhaven.
Media Contacts:
LCDR Alistair Tomlinson Navy Communications and Media 0407 277 799
Ms Dallas McMaugh HMAS Albatross 0400 189 875
Ben Wickham Defence Corporate Communication – NSW 0400 003 792
