Seasprites for NZ

[Dave Masterson]

Just in from Flight Global


New Zealand to obtain eight SH-2G (I) Super Seasprites

By: Greg Waldron Singapore

2 hours ago

Source:


New Zealand will acquire eight Kaman SH-2G (I) Super Seasprite naval helicopters, with two additional airframes to be purchased as spares.

The total package is worth NZ$242 million ($204 million) and includes a full motion simulator, Penguin anti-ship missiles and additional components, the New Zealand government said in a statement.

"This package from Kaman Aerospace will provide the Navy with an upgraded variant, the Seasprite SH-2G (I), and increase the fleet from five to eight helicopters," says defence minister Jonathan Coleman. "It will allow helicopters to be embarked on the two ANZAC-class frigates [Te Mana and Te Kaha] as well as the offshore patrol vessels and the multi-role ship HMNZS Canterbury."

Wellington's current fleet of five SH-2Gs have been in service since the late 1990s and will be retired.

The airframes were originally built for Australia, but in 2009, Canberra cancelled the contract after cost overruns and persistent technical issues.

"The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence officials are acutely aware that the Australian government decided not to fully introduce these aircraft into service after concerns about a range of technical issues," says Coleman.

"As a consequence the New Zealand Ministry of Defence has invested considerable resources into examining all aspects of this project over the last two years. This included commissioning an independent study by Marinvent Corporation of Canada."

The airframes are in storage in Connecticut, and Wellington will receive the entire complement of aircraft between 2014-2016. New Zealand's defence ministry says they will have a service life "out to 2030".

Coleman says the navy requires a larger fleet of Seasprites, given that five New Zealand navy ships can operate a helicopter. The present fleet of five SH-2Gs means only two helicopters can be deployed simultaneously. Having more aircraft available will allow Wellington to get "full value" from its ship investments.

Aside from new communications equipment and sensors, the SH-2G (I) helicopters will be armed with the Kongsberg Penguin anti-ship missile. The ministry says this weapon is superior in the anti-shipping role to the Raytheon AGM-65 Maverick used by New Zealand's SH-2Gs.

Canberra scrapped its Seasprite acquisition in March 2008 with the project seven years late and 47% over budget.

It ordered 11 upgraded former US Navy SH-2Fs in 1997 under a A$746 million deal with Kaman, and had expected deliveries from 2001. But problems, primarily with the aircraft's integrated tactical avionics system (ITAS), forced it to provisionally accept nine aircraft from 2003 in an interim configuration. These were grounded by March 2006 due to automatic flight control system problems.

"A key issue was the Australian Defence Force specified an aircraft that could be flown by a two-person crew and have a computer flight system that could operate the aircraft with 'no hands' on the controls," says New Zealand's defence ministry.

"[New Zealand] has a different requirement. It will operate the aircraft with a three-person crew, as is current practice with its standard operating procedure for pilots to retain a hold on the controls at all times. The 'no-hands' requirement is not being adopted."

Of the acquisition's total cost of NZ$242 million, NZ$147 million covers the eight operational aircraft, with the balance covering the remainder of the package.

[Brendan Cowan]

Wow,

More ex ADF airframes for the NZDF!

I wonder why they didn't buy the other three?

Hang on, I should have said why DID they buy the 8!

Maybe we'll eventually get one back if the Kiwi's gift one back for the museum at Nowra one day! :lol:



BC

[Luig]

NZ Building Crew To Fly New Seasprites 02 May 2013 By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2013050...-New-Seasprites

"WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND — The recent announcement that New Zealand is to acquire more Seasprite helicopters will expand naval operational capabilities but finding the personnel to maintain and operate them remains a problem.

New Zealand’s Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said that eight operational Seasprites (plus two spare airframes) will be purchased from Kaman Aerospace in a NZ 242 million dollar (US $204 million) deal.

The purchase price includes NZ 147 million dollars for the airframes. Remaining project costs are reportedly for anti-ship missiles, a full-motion flight simulator, ship decklock modifications, additional components, testing and introduction into service activities.

The Navy had 2,162 regular force personnel at the beginning of 2010 but only 1,884 at present. Fewer than half the personnel of 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force, which fly the Seasprite, are there by choice, the rest are posted in, according to a recent Ministry of Defence evaluation report.

Last year’s NZDF Annual Report noted that in 2012 there was a shortfall in flying hours, with 1,138 hours flown against a target of 1,400 hours.

This variance was attributed to a lack of crew numbers. However, late last year two new crews were reported to have commenced the Seasprite conversion course and helicopters landed on the 279-foot offshore patrol vessels for the first time.

The first three aircraft are due in New Zealand in late 2014 with deliveries completed by 2016. The helicopters are expected to remain in service until 2030.

‘The [NZDF] currently has five Seasprites which … are due for replacement,’ said Coleman. They are operated by 6 Squadron, which consists of both Royal New Zealand Air Force and Navy personnel.

The new upgraded variant, the Seasprite SH-2G(I), will come with updated flight control systems, radar, and sensors. “They also have a modern communications system that allows sensor data to be shared between the helicopter and ship,” said Coleman.

The weapon system also is updated, with the existing Maverick missiles to be replaced by Penguins, with twice the range and a three times larger warhead.

Increasing the fleet from five to eight will allow helicopters to be embarked on the two Anzac-class frigates, as well as both offshore patrol vessels and the multirole ship HMNZS Canterbury, Coleman said.

In 1998 the Navy’s Westland Wasps, in service for more than 30 years, were replaced, temporarily, with SH-2F Seasprites while SH-2G variants were constructed and delivered.

However, in 2009 the 11-aircraft contract was canceled due to unresolved technical and financial issues and the aircraft were returned to Kaman with only 1,200 flying hours for the entire fleet.

“The replacement Seasprites will have a multiplier effect on the capability of the Navy and what’s more, the price is very good with alternative helicopter replacements costing three times the amount,” said Coleman.

With the existing fleet of five Seasprites only two aircraft are generally available for operations, as one is used for training and the remainder are undergoing maintenance."

[Warhawk]

Apparently they're buying 10, with two to be broken down as spares.

Kaman is keeping one,..thus that's all 11 ex Aus accounted for.

Best
Gordy

[FlyCookie]

First Kiwi Seasprite crossdeck to HMAS Canberra.

On their way to Rimpac.

Pics NZDF.

Attached Image

[FlyCookie]

From the inside.

Attached Image

[Brugal]

So... eventually eight will be operational with NZ 6 Sqdn!

Cheers.