Romeos Get New Sonar

This in from the Nowra news.

Romeos get new sonar

May 21, 2014, 6 a.m.




THE navy’s new front-line combat helicopters have received the latest weapon in their impressive arsenal in the US.


Crews from HMAS Albatross’ 725 Squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, training on the new Seahawk Romeo helicopters, have started dipping sonar operations.

Dipping sonar involves lowering a detector from a helicopter, hovering over the ocean, and the crew listening for any submarines which may be lurking under the water, in preparation for an attack.

The RAN previously operated dipping sonar on its Wessex and Sea King helicopters but they were withdrawn from service in 1990.

After five months of flying operations, complex installation, calibration and test flying, the squadron has received its first airborne low frequency sonar system (ALFS).

“This is what it’s all about,” said Chief Petty Officer Nathan Minett, after completing the first

dipping sortie.

“This is one of the primary roles of the aircraft and it’s great to see the system operating.”

Executive officer Lieutenant Commander Todd Glynn, who was part of 817 Squadron when it had a dipping capability, said it was incredible to see how the systems have developed.

“This system, in concert with others, will give the Romeo a tactical anti-submarine advantage and I look forward to seeing it doing the business for the fleet,” he said.

Commanding Officer 725 Squadron Commander David Frost said the new dipping sonar capped the incredible array of weapons and sensors in the Romeo, the likes of which the Fleet Air Arm has not seen before.

“This aircraft packs an incredible punch and we can’t wait to bring it back home and pass on our new found knowledge,” he said.

The squadron is expected to return to HMAS Albatross from October.




This post has been edited by Dave Masterson on May 22 2014, 04:00 PM

Attached Image

Navy takes Romeo for a test run 30 Jul 2014

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/07...-romeo-test-run

VIDEO of HELL FIRE & [Mk.54] Torpedo drop:

http://video.defence.gov.au/?mediaId=04a1f...33-9397a7351d5c

This post has been edited by Luig on Aug 5 2014, 03:28 PM

So what was that dropped from the MH-60R straight down into the ocean in the video?

Anyways I'm more interested in how the weapons and ordnance that will be attached to the new helos. We already know they will carry both Hellfires and Mk54 "lightweight" Torpedos.
I don't know what's the difference between a Mk54 and Mk46 Torpedo which can both be deployed from the MH-60R.

So what door guns has the RAN already put on the first couple of MH-60Rs that have already arrived? The Seahawk can mount an automatic .50 cal or even a M134 mini-gun however if they are deployed to the Middle East will they just go with either the Mag58 or the F89 Minimi? This trivial stuff intrigues me...

Regards. B)

This post has been edited by F/A-18 Super Bug on Aug 5 2014, 12:37 PM

That tube dropped with a parachute to ensure it goes in nose first is the Mk.54 torpedo. The only four? delivered so far are still in the STATES? All should arrive in Australia/Nowra by the end of the year or soon after I think.

A Mk.54 torpedo would be much more better than a Mk.46 I would guess. Google it - pitcha shows the torp. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/mh-60r...petition-06936/

http://australianaviation.com.au/wp-conten...8530038_002.jpg

(IMG:http://australianaviation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140715ran8530038_002.jpg)

This post has been edited by Luig on Aug 5 2014, 03:32 PM

So as a civilian I was just wondering why are we equipping our MH-60Rs with Hellfire missiles?

The Hellfire is predominately used as an Anti-Armour missile (TANKS, APCs) with just a small operational range of 500 m –8 km. If the Romeo has to go over land wouldn't that be the domain of our "new" Tiger ARHs and or Fighter/Attack aircraft?

Also if the RAN is deployed to hot spots around the world (like the Persian Gulf or Somali pirate waters) there will Tigers stationed aboard the new LHDs I"m ASSUMING (correct if I'm wrong in that assumption) who would be way well equipped with missiles, rockets and a front cannon.

Thanks as always Luig! I'll be back to you shortly on your PM mate.

I'll get this one!

Hellfire Missiles have been in development since the early 80's and have been developed from the original Laser HESH( High Explosive Squashed Head(Copper focused explosive jet) round, to the millimetre Radar (multi engagement and targeting, again with HESH) per AH-64D Mast Radar targeting, to include a special thermabaric (excuse spelling) for use in the Ghan in the 00's to ruin any Taliban cave dweller, to a Fragmentation/High explosive warhead version( as used by ARH) for general targets ranging from light/medium armour, Cars, Radar installions, Buildings to bunkers.

Any fast hostile patrol boat, or any intended Littoral coastal target( be that a oilwell, a barge, armed fishing boat, Mine Counter Measures boat, a Sea Mining boat, or even ported surfaced submarine, will have a very bad day when hit by one of these.

The Sea Sprite was to be armed with a Penguin, but the role of the SH-60R is to provide targeting for the Ship based Harpoon missile, thereby not requiring the said aircraft to carry a larger missile. Both later versions of the types mentioned, had a land attack mode.

As for anti-ship role, believe it or not, the Surface to Air SM2 Standard Missile can also be used in anti ship mode. Its a question of effectiveness and requirement, and after that,.the bean counters get into it, cost.

Simple but nice short video of a Romeo's first fling around Sydney the other day.

In typical RAN manner, no-one in SUCCESS or CANBERRA was told, so they didn't actually see it.

Great internal comms there, RAN. :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbSPxITncug