Army’s MRH 90 Taipan helicopters expected to be scrapped and buried despite years of useful life remaining

The Australian Army will reportedly scrap 45 MRH 90 Taipan helicopters that were retired last year instead of selling them off or donating them to Ukraine. The MRH 90 fleet was permanently grounded last year following a fatal 28 July crash in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, which resulted in the deaths of four Army aircrew members. The grounding followed years of difficulties with the helicopter, including a shortage of spare parts, configuration management issues and operational limitations in the special operations support role. Australia has operated 47 MRH 90s since 2012. Despite offering superior range, speed, carrying capacity and poor weather performance to its rivals, the aircraft had been temporarily grounded several times previously due to serviceability and safety concerns. This is an excerpt used with permission from Riotact. To read the full story, click here. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]