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Dave Masterson |
Posted: May 29 2006, 04:57 PM
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C-17A Globemaster III (A41) Group: Members Posts: 528 Member No.: 25 Joined: 24-June 05 |
This in from a NZ site;
Navy's $1bn copter deal back on board Patrick Walters, National security editor May 25, 2006. THE navy is now expected to press ahead with its troubled $1billion Seasprite helicopter program following a high-level defence review. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson has received a departmental options paper on the future of the Seasprite program, which is running five years late. It is understood Defence's preferred option is continuing with the program at an additional cost of between $100million and $200million, rather than junking the acquisition and looking for a new anti-shipping helicopter for the ANZAC-class frigates. Dr Nelson told The Australian last week the time had come to look at what was involved in "getting out of the program", adding that software problems associated with the aircraft's flight system had led to its temporary grounding. "You could not have 100 per cent confidence in the software program that supports the pilot flying the helicopter to 100per cent safety," he said. Dr Nelson's comments prompted an urgent high-level visit to Canberra this week by senior executives from the helicopter's manufacturer, US-based Kaman Aerospace Corporation. Dr Nelson declined to meet the delegation, which included the president of Kaman helicopters, Sol Borondaro, and engineering chief Michael Bowes. But after three days of discussions with defence officials, including a robust exchange with Defence Materiel Organisation chief Stephen Gumley on Monday, Kaman executives are confident the Seasprites are on track for delivery in 2006-07. Defence has received assurances from Kaman that software problems associated with the Seasprite's air data computer will be rectified within weeks. "We expect to meet 100 per cent of what the commonwealth contracted," a Kaman executive said. Ten Seasprites have been delivered to the navy's 805 Squadron based at Nowra, on the NSW south coast, with testing of the integrated software due to start next month. A Kaman spokesman said: "We believe we could deliver the full mission capability this year." |
penders |
Posted: May 31 2006, 01:39 PM
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McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (A21) Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 174 Member No.: 72 Joined: 19-January 06 |
Thats good news, I just hope they do a good job and get this capable aircraft back in the air and do what they do best...contribute to defending this great nation. :)
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darren.crick |
Posted: Jun 4 2006, 06:28 PM
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ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 1,782 Member No.: 2 Joined: 29-May 05 |
I wonder if it would be important to have them 100% safe if a seaking hadnt crashed in recent times???
surely they knew all this some time ago... |