Australian Aerospace Limited, which assembles the Army’s and Navy’s MRH90 helicopters in Brisbane, has welcomed the imminent return to flying operations by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) world leading and most advanced multi-role helicopter.

The ADF announced today that the MRH90s will recommence flying operations later this week.

The ADF ceased flying their MRH90 fleet in late April due to an incident with one of the two engines of an MRH90, which returned safely to its operational base.

Australian Aerospace and its engine supplier Rolls Royce Turbomeca have worked with the Commonwealth of Australia to identify the cause of the incident and return the MRH90 fleet to service with updated start-up procedures.

During the MRH90’s suspended flight operations, Australian Aerospace continued assembling and testing, to support the aircraft’s introduction to the Australian Defence Force, and further deliveries of MRH90s are imminent.

“The MRH90 is a superb aircraft and will continue to be a success story for the Australian Defence Force, local jobs and local industry. It is delivering an advanced platform that Australia has never before had”, Australian Aerospace’s CEO Dr. Jens Goennemann said.

A final report on the engine incident is due later this year.

About Australian Aerospace:
Australian Aerospace Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eurocopter – a part of the European Aeronautic Defence & Space Group (EADS). Created in 2003 through the merger of Eurocopter International Pacific Limited and Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd, the company has evolved into a major defence supplier to the Australian Government. With more than 1000 staff in Australia and New Zealand and access to the financial strength and expertise of Eurocopter and the EADS Group, the company is well-positioned to manufacture and support civil and military helicopters in the Australia-Pacific region. In addition to its helicopter capabilities, Australian Aerospace has a long history of support to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Currently it is assembling and delivering 22 Tiger ARH armed reconnaissance helicopters to the Australian Army and 46 MRH90 multi-role helicopters to the Army and Navy. It also provides support for the RAAF AP3C Orion reconnaissance aircraft and, until recently, the now retired Caribou transport fleet. Last year it commenced a through-life-support role for C-130J Hercules transports. The company is also involved in supporting the RAAF’s new Airbus A330-based Multi-Role Tanker-Transport (MRTT) aircraft.