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ADF Serials Message Board > Navy Aircraft - Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm > Romeo about to romance the Navy |
Posted by: Dave Masterson May 20 2013, 04:23 PM |
THE first of 24 new Seahawk Romeo helicopters being built for the Royal Australian Navy to be based at HMAS Albatross is almost complete. Aircraft one is on the final assembly line where engines, gearboxes and cockpit equipment are being fitted. All up four MH-60R (Romeo) aircraft are under construction at various stages. Each helicopter will take 14 months to manufacture from when construction starts on the airframe to when the fit-out is completed. Construction is undertaken in three states of the US, with the multi-billion dollar contract seeing aircraft assembled in three phases starting in Troy in Alabama and then being trucked by road to Stratford in Connecticut. The helicopters are being manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and Lockheed Martin. Air 9000 Phase 8 resident project team leader Commander Nyree Cornelius was the first RAN member to see the Romeo in production. “Seeing them in person really struck home how real and how close we are to this new capability being realised,” CMDR Cornelius said. The first two helicopters are expected to be accepted by the RAN in December, and enter initial service early next year. “Inspecting the first RAN Romeo on completion of its first stage of production is a memory I will no doubt treasure for years to come,” CMDR Cornelius said. The first RAN aircraft will be the 168th Romeo to be manufactured and will be known as N48-001 once in service. Project Air 9000 Phase 8 was approved by the government in June 2011 at a cost of $3.2 billion. The project will acquire 24 Romeos, a range of training devices and mission support systems. |
Posted by: Warhawk Jun 10 2013, 11:30 AM |
Do we know the Bu No of the 25th Airframe, ala "Bromeo" yet? and when it will be delivered? Best Gordy |
Posted by: Dave Masterson Jun 10 2013, 12:39 PM |
This in from the Nowra news AFTER nine weeks of accelerated study in Florida, the first Australians are now qualified to operate the MH-60R naval combat helicopter. Lieutenant Commander Simon Lam and Joshua Carey, together with Lieutenant Timothy Clerke from HMAS Albatross, form the MH-60R test team embedded into Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to support the introduction of the MH-60R. Lieutenant Commander Lam and Carey recently completed their MH-60R Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardisation (NATOPS) program with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, at the Mayport Naval Station. The pair started their training with other aircrew in early March and after a steep learning curve of computer-based education, simulators and flights, completed their final evaluation on May 15. LCDR Lam said the highlight of training had been exposure to the modern digital cockpit and the new advanced mission systems focused on the battle space. “New systems such as data fusion, ISAR radar and Link 16 will enhance aircrew and ultimately the operations room’s situational awareness,” he said. “Significantly, the reintroduction of the dipping sonar to anti-submarine warfare operations will provide a new and improved capability to the RAN.” The highlight of training for LCDR Carey was the interaction with US Navy flying instructors and the opportunity to work with them during flying training. “Every single US instructor was 100 per cent invested in achieving our aim of being qualified,” LCDR Carey said. “As always, I was impressed with the professionalism, dedication and pure aviation skill that I witnessed throughout my training.” Both students were impressed at the rate their training progressed, which included up to four simulator or flight events a week. The squadron’s training program operated seven days a week, which meant they were able to provide up to 20 training flights a day. Even with NATOPS behind them, the learning doesn’t stop. The team will soon relocate to Patuxent River in Maryland, south of Washington DC and the heartland of the US Navy’s test community. They will join US Navy test squadron HX 21 to support testing of the Australian configured MH-60R, with the aim of delivering the first Australian aircraft in December this year. |
Posted by: Martin Edwards Jul 3 2013, 08:22 PM |
Here is N48-001 |
Posted by: F/A-18 Super Bug Jul 4 2013, 08:36 AM |
Any idea which warship the first Romeo gets attached to? |
Posted by: Michael Louey Jul 4 2013, 10:43 AM |
A link to more info about the first test flight of N48-001 courtesy of the guys at AMI: http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Jul2013/Fleet/78/Romeo%E2%80%99s-first-flight.htm Regards Michael |
Posted by: F/A-18 Super Bug Jul 4 2013, 02:19 PM |
Oh so they're going straight to the Anzac Class frigates first. I still can't see where the Ariel torpedoes are fixed on the airframe? Must be under the base according to this photo. ![]() |
Posted by: Martin Edwards Jul 4 2013, 02:53 PM |
I imagine in the same location as present Seahawks |
Posted by: F/A-18 Super Bug Jul 4 2013, 03:19 PM |
Thanks Martin, I when through Google images for a while and couldn't find one attached. Cheers. |
Posted by: Grumpy Cobra Sep 6 2013, 04:15 PM |
I read with interest that the US Navy is planning to fit by 2014 their Romeos with two 19 tube LAU-61G/A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets - I would hope in time the RAN adopts both unguided and these APKWS guided rockets for our Romeos in addition to the more expensive hellfires! |
Posted by: Martin Edwards Mar 11 2014, 02:08 PM |
The RAN is to get a Seahawk ''Bromeo'' This is a SH-60B (Bravo) helicopter airframe, similar to those operated by 816 SQN, and was re-manufactured into an MH-60R as a prototype. It is a fully functional but non-flying training aid. See http://news.navy.gov.au/en/Mar2014/Fleet/894#.Ux5-HunNuM8 |
Posted by: Luig Mar 12 2014, 03:25 AM |
Someone had to put bromide in its tea. ![]() |
Posted by: Warhawk Mar 12 2014, 12:05 PM |
I asked about this in Sept per Romeo romances the navy string " Posted: Jun 10 2013, 11:30 AM Do we know the Bu No of the 25th Airframe, ala "Bromeo" yet? and when it will be delivered? Have we a BuNo? Only about 7 or so were remanufactured Best Gordy |
Posted by: Martin Edwards Mar 12 2014, 02:10 PM |
So you did Gordy,, my apologies. I have merged these two topics. |
Posted by: Warhawk Mar 28 2014, 11:25 AM |
Romeos #3 and 4 flown and delivered to be equipped with Radar/electronics etc on the 24th February 14 Best Gordy |
Posted by: Warhawk Sep 8 2014, 07:29 PM |
Oi, That #25 MH-60R Training Airframe,.per RANFAA Bromeo identity That wouldn't be Bu No 166402 (c/n 70-0388)? Ex SH-60B Bu No 162098 Historically the first MH-60R and First Flight: 5th August 2005 Typical. always get the oldest! ![]() One of five stored there Arrived AMARC 09/08/10 (ex HSM-41 NAS North Island California), withdrawn from AMARC Storage 27/01/14 (Park#AN1M0015) and transported by Surface to somewhere? Others are: 166404/166406/166407/166408 Checking Joe's site,...on the money,... since there were only single digit rebuilds 166402/166408 Sikorsky SH-60B converted to MH-60R. 166402 with HSM-41 at NAS North Island in 2010 166404 with HSM-41 at NAS North Island in 2010 166406 with HSM-41 at NAS North Island in 2010 166407 with HSM-41 at NAS North Island in 2010 166408 with HSM-41 at NAS North Island in 2010 |
Posted by: Brendan Cowan Sep 25 2014, 01:43 PM |
Thanks Gordy, I've updated the http://adf-serials.com.au/n48.htm to cover the Bromeo with this info and a few extra details. Cheers Brendan ![]() |
Posted by: Luig Sep 26 2014, 04:51 AM | ||
An early morning heart starter. I'll gather that the arrangement in RAN Romeos has the only pilot flying all the time who will not be distracted because the TACCO Observer will be dealing with all the tactics whilst the pilot just flies. Out For a Dip - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Submarines BY LT ROBERT CROSBY AND AWR2 MATTHEW BALLARD Approach [USN Flight Safety Magazine] September-October 2014
http://www.public.navy.mil/comnavsafecen/Documents/media/magazines/approach/2014_Sep-Oct.pdf (1.4Mb) |
Posted by: Grumpy Cobra Oct 15 2014, 07:50 AM | ||||
Well now - am I pleased that Defence has heeded some good advice first mooted here over a year ago by yours truly and is at least considering APKWS ![]()
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Posted by: Luig Oct 15 2014, 09:31 AM | ||
via Dave Masterson - first Romeo has arrived at NAS Nowra: The birds come home to roost By ROBERT CRAWFORD Oct. 14, 2014
http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2624801/the-birds-come-home-to-roost/ ________________________ URL for rockets: http://www.baesystems.com/article/BAES_177278/laser-guided-rocket-successfully-demonstrates-precision-strike-capability-for-australian-defence-forces;baeSessionId=XZoRAjJEFDPLuLrWozbr40bPXoOSYEpKpw0_ysrD2ymU0jMsffxi!-1749557562?_afrLoop=545632083947000&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null#!%40%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Dnull%26_afrLoop%3D545632083947000%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3Djo69yugu0_4 ![]() |
Posted by: Grumpy Cobra Oct 15 2014, 02:33 PM |
Good show wot, within the space of one week DMO takes delivery of LHD "Canned Berry" and first Romeo arrives in Country! I doubt the new squadron buildings/hangars are complete yet so it may be nesting with 816 Squadron. The photograph in the above South Coast Reg article conveniently is taken at such an angle that we cannot see if there is number on the nose, hence we cannot tell registration ![]() |
Posted by: Luig Oct 16 2014, 05:39 AM | ||
Another story on the guided rockets: AUSA 2014: BAE Systems watch growing APKWS sales as Australia begins tests 12 Oct 2014 Daniel Wasserbly
http://www.janes.com/article/44367/ausa-2014-bae-systems-watch-growing-apkws-sales-as-australia-begins-tests |
Posted by: F/A-18 Super Bug Nov 17 2014, 02:59 PM | ||
As the security company I work for in Canberra has just got the new contract for the NAS HMAS Albatross I had to drive down there to deliver more Hi Viz tops and other things so I was allowed a full drive around tour of the base including areas off limits to the public. I got within 10 metres of a new Romeo however I wasn't allowed any closer. ![]() Those Hangers being built for the new Romeos are quite a while off yet from being completed. They are right next to the Raytheon building which is pretty secure and I think makes the missiles? Also I'm surprised at how many run down rusted buildings still being used on base however slowly but surely they will be knocked down and rebuilt. There are a couple of new residential 4 storey buildings for personnel and others that look like they're out of the 1950s. The Army I didn't know conducts their parachute training there with a massive tower with a zip line to the ground to first practice your landings before doing the real thing with a landing zone bare area (LZ) also on the base. I even got to drive the whole length of the runway, to me the NAS seems massive so I can't fathom how big RAAF Amberley is! Cheers. |
Posted by: Luig Nov 17 2014, 04:19 PM | ||||
Dave keeps an eye on things so here are two recent developments. Nowra gets first glimpse of Navy's new Romeo Helicopters 14 Nov 2014
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-14/new-helicopters-on-display/5891076 & MH-60R Seahawk Romeo makes maiden flight over HMAS Albatross and contracts signed for Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS). 16 Nov 2014 ADAM WRIGHT
http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2699579/we-have-lift-off/ |
Posted by: Grumpy Cobra Nov 17 2014, 09:42 PM |
No not a new era - more of the same rotary minded... Not even planning to embark on LHD's in any numbers... Wot's with the squadron marking - what a load of rubbish ... |