Seasprite Saga

[Dave Masterson]

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]

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. :)

[darren.crick]

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...