19-Jan-2023Source: Australian Government
The Australian Government will acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army. Head Land Capability Major General Jeremy King, CSM, said this was an important acquisition which will meet the strategic needs of the Australian Army. “The Black Hawk capability will be a crucial element for us to protect Australia’s sovereignty, and deliver... Read more
3-Dec-2021Source: Australian Government
The Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, today announced the establishment of a new Army Aviation Command, at a ceremonial parade and helicopter flyover at Blamey Square, Canberra. Lieutenant General Burr said the formation of Army Aviation Command is a significant achievement for the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.... Read more
22-Jun-2021Source: news.com.au
Defence insiders claim the Australian Army’s Taipan helicopters are “no longer safe to fly”, revealing “potentially catastrophic” maintenance issues behind their suspension. The MRH-90 Taipan fleet is used to transport troops and provide fire protection during special operations and counter-terrorism missions. But the entire fleet has been out of action and grounded since the beginning... Read more
15-Jan-2021Source: Australian Gov
The Australian Army’s armed reconnaissance capability will be strengthened following the selection of Boeing Apache Guardian to replace Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) from 2025. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the AH-64E Apache Guardian is equipped with improved sensors, communications suites, attack capabilities and improved survivability. “This new ARH capability... Read more
6-Nov-2020Source: Australian Government
Army helicopter crews flying three different aircraft types have been training to land on the deck of HMAS Adelaide right in time for summer and the potential for natural disasters. The landing helicopter dock (LHD) ship Adelaide is the Navy’s high-readiness vessel and is available to support humanitarian and disaster-relief operations domestically and in the... Read more
28-Jul-2020
Schiebel Pacific and Raytheon Australia have teamed up for the LAND129 Phase 3 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) project for the Australian Army. The tender response was submitted last week. The teaming couples Schiebel’s proven and world-class CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with Raytheon Australia’s 20 year pedigree as a trusted, prime systems integrator across multiple domains.... Read more
18-Apr-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus has been awarded an extension of the Australian Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger through-life support (TLS) contract by the Australian Department of Defence. Airbus Australia Pacific Managing Director Andrew Mathewson said that the five-year, TLS contract extension reflected the current standing of the Tiger in Australia. “Airbus is committed to ensuring the success... Read more
15-Apr-2019Source: Australian Government
The Australian Government has announced an extension to Airbus Australia Pacific’s through-life support (TLS) contract for the Australian Army’s Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH). The ARH Tiger, first introduced into service in 2004, has matured into a critical asset for the Australian Defence Force. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the extension... Read more
20-Mar-2019Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Australia Pacific Managing Director Andrew Mathewson confirmed that Airbus had recently responded to the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) request for information for a four-tonne class, rapidly deployable, multi-role helicopter for Australian Special Forces.“The Airbus H145M helicopter is the military version of the H145 – the most advanced member of Airbus’ multi-purpose twin-engine category. It... Read more
6-Sep-2018Source: Leonardo
Leonardo is presenting the AW109 Trekker at Land Forces 2018 as a fully commercial, off the shelf solution to the Australian Defence Force needs for Land 2097, Phase 4 Special Operations Rotary Wing Capability. The AW109 Trekker is readily deployable by C17 transport aircraft, requiring less than 30 minutes preparation for embarkation on the C17.... Read more
22-Jun-2018Source: Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins has been selected by the Australian Army to provide extended avionics support for its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters through a performance-based logistics (PBL) contract. The agreement extends to 2020, providing field service engineering, program management, logistics service and repair and overhaul for the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS)components installed on the aircraft and... Read more
4-Apr-2018Source: Royal Australian Navy
Landing Ship Dock HMAS Choules has conducted First of Class Flight Trials for the CH-47F Chinook helicopter marking a significant increase to amphibious capability. Elements from the Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment and the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit embarked Choules for the duration of the flight trials. The CH-47F conducted 206 launches and flew for a total of... Read more
16-Oct-2017Source: Boeing
Boeing’s delivery of the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) continues to ramp up, with the final Airbus Helicopters EC135 T2+ aircraft arriving in Australia in late August. The last aircraft delivery marks the completion of the training fleet for the program which will provide ab initio training to Royal... Read more
16-May-2017Source: Airbus Helicopters
The Australian Army has achieved a major milestone with its Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) flying 2000 hours on serial number #001, the first of any Tiger in the global fleet. Under the command of LTCOL Dave Lynch CSC, a highly experienced pilot and instructor, ARH Tiger 001reached the 2000 hours on a flight from... Read more
21-Mar-2017Source: Defence Minister Australia
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis MP, today inspected progress in the development of a $157 million Helicopter Aircrew Training System at 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross. Minister Payne said the project will provide state of the art training facilities for Navy and Army aviators. “The new... Read more
28-Nov-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has achieved Factory Acceptance of the last six of the EC135T2+ for the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), completing on-time deliveries of the full fleet of 15 helicopters. Under the JP9000 Phase 7 HATS project, a new joint helicopter training program for Navy and Army aircrew will... Read more
29-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
CHC Helicopter has signed a contract with the Australian Army to provide them with aeromedical evacuations, crash response support and search and rescue for 21 months. The CHC will use their fleet of Sikorsky S-76s and Bell 412s, reports Australian Aviation. CHC Regional Director Asia Pacific Nick Mair reports that they have been working with... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: Australian Navy
It was up, up and away for the EC-135T2 helicopter, the latest aircraft to be acquired by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army as part of the new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS). The first aircraft lifted off from HMAS Albatross yesterday with the first tranche of Flying Instructors from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army... Read more
28-Jun-2016Source: Australian Army
The Australian Army recently marked the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Black Hawk accident that took the lives of 18 Army personnel, with commemorative services held around Australia. On the evening of 12 June, 1996, two Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters collided in the air during a night training exercise near Townsville. The first Black Hawk crashed... Read more
20-Apr-2016
Chinook A15-202 was part of the army’s fleet of CH-47D Chinooks that were in near continuous use in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013, and is the only D-Model in the fleet to have taken enemy fire — during an incident in 2009, for which the pilot was awarded a medal for bravery. See full story... Read more
10-Aug-2015Source: News
News Corp Australia has also been told the chopper base has no comprehensive fire and emergency response service to cover Tiger operations.See Full Story... Read more
21-Jul-2015
Precautionary landing by a road after warning light illuminated – later cleared for direct flight back to base... Read more
21-Jan-2015Source: The Australian
ELECTRONIC and systems group Thales Australia needed to address obsolescence issues faced by the Australian Army Tiger helicopter simulators. See Full Story... Read more
6-Nov-2014Source: CAE
CAE today announced that the Commonwealth of Australia has accepted into service the second MRH90 full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) located at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in Queensland. CAE also announced the MRH90 FFMS has been certified by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Airworthiness Authority to Level D under the Australian Civil Aviation... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: Bae Systems
The Australian Defence Forces recently concluded a highly successful trial of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWSTM) laser-guided rocket for use on its Army and Navy helicopters. The ground trial marks the first time the APKWS technology, which transforms a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70-millimeter) rocket into a precision laser-guided weapon, has been demonstrated... Read more
1-Jun-2014Source: News.com.au
BAE Systems says the agreement to service the Black Hawk fleet in Townsville concludes on January 31 next year, as the Australian Army upgrades to the NH90 See full story... Read more
9-Apr-2014
Immediate landing after unspecified cockpit warning light. No reported damage... Read more
27-Mar-2014Source: DoD Australia
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, the Hon Darren Chester MP, today announced that the $54.8 million Replacement Chinook Facilities Project, which supports the acquisition of seven new Boeing CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works. “If approved, the facilities project will provide new and upgraded working accommodation, new maintenance... Read more
17-Sep-2013Source: Australian DoD
Rotary Wing Group – Eight (RWG-8), the Australian Army Aviation Detachment, has completed its five-month mission in Afghanistan. RWG-8 marked the End of Mission during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) on 14 September. The KAF-based RWG consisted of two CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopters operating throughout the Afghan summer months as part of the... Read more
1-Sep-2013Source: CAE
CAE today announced that the Commonwealth of Australia has accepted into service the first MRH90 full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) located at the Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey in Queensland. CAE also announced the MRH90 FFMS has been certified by the Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority to Level D under the Australian Civil Aviation Safety... Read more
17-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Local press in Australia is reporting a big outflow of helicopter pilots from the Australian Army, many heading for the offshore operators where they can double their pay and fly less hours. In the last year, 22 helicopter pilots have left, including 12 at the rank of Major. A further 8 are on leave to... Read more
5-Dec-2012Source: News Corp
Dozens of Australian Army pilots have conducted a mini-mutiny by refusing to fly new Tiger attack helicopters after aircrew were hit by cockpit fumes for the third time this year. The fleet was not grounded after the third incident. (see full story)... Read more
4-Nov-2012
A third “fumes in the cockpit” situation, repeating incidents from May and June... Read more
30-Aug-2012
Two Australian special forces officers were killed when their helicopter crashed in Helmand Province. The pair were named in Australian press as Private Nathanael Galagher and Lance Corporal Mervyn McDonald.  Initial reporting indicates there was no insurgent action in the area at the time of the incident which could be related to the crash.... Read more
14-Aug-2012Source: Australian Army
The suspension, which began on 26 June 2012, was put in place as a safety measure when fumes were detected in the cockpit of an aircraft that performed a precautionary landing at Shoalwater Bay training area the day before. Following a detailed investigation and assessment into the source of the fumes, the Army Operational Airworthiness... Read more
14-Aug-2012Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has installed a Helicrew simulator at the Oakey Army Aviation Training Centre in order to enhance the capabilities of BDA flight instructors. The Helicrew allows BDA Qualified Flying Instructors to further hone and test their training procedures through a variety of simulated situations. Helicrew is designed to... Read more
20-Jul-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Australia Limited announced today the signing of a four-year agreement with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for ongoing logistics and engineering support for the Commonwealth of Australia’s fleet of BLACK HAWK (S-70A(TM)) and SEAHAWK® (S-70B(TM)) helicopters. Valued at more than $120 million, with six annual renewable options, the contract is a follow-on agreement... Read more
4-Jul-2012Source: Australian Army
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two additional CH-47D Chinook helicopters have been handed over to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Townsville. The Chinook provides the ADF with an outstanding battlefield lift capability and has provided excellent service to Army for more than 25 years.... Read more
26-Jun-2012Source: Australian Army
The suspension was put in place following the precautionary landing of a helicopter at the Shoalwater Bay training area on 25 June after the aircraft’s two-man crew detected fumes in the cockpit. The aircraft landed safely with no injuries to the crew or further damage to the aircraft. Defence is presently investigating the cause of... Read more
25-Jun-2012
Fumes in the cockpit – led to fleet grounding (for second time)... Read more
22-Jun-2012
Helicopter damaged, although extent of damage not stated. One occupant injured.... Read more
30-May-2012Source: Australian Army
The Australian Army’s fleet of Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) has returned to regular training activities following the lifting of a temporary suspension that was put in place on 16 May 2012 due to the detection of fumes in the cockpit of the aircraft. The Army Operational Airworthiness Authority lifted the suspension late yesterday following a... Read more
17-May-2012Source: Australian DoD
The Australian Army has suspended Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter flying operations for training activities due to a concern following the detection of fumes in the cockpit of one of the aircraft. The Australian Army has a fleet of 22 Tiger helicopters, 19 of which are in the fully capable configuration operating in the fleet. The... Read more
16-May-2012
Fumes in the cockpit – led to fleet grounding.... Read more
25-Apr-2012Source: US DoD
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded a $9,611,350 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for the addition of a rotor brake system on the Australian Defense Force CH-47 aircraft. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2015. One bid was solicited, with one bid... Read more
24-Apr-2012
Precautionary landing due to an engine fault... Read more
22-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Australian Army has temporarily grounded its thirty Black Hawks after fractured bolts were found during routine maintenance.  “The precautionary suspension will remain in place to allow an investigation into the cause of the fracture to be completed,” Colonel Stephen Evans (Acting Director-General of Aviation) said. Three Black Hawks currently operating for in East Timor... Read more
1-Dec-2011
In a formal ceremony at the company’s facility in Brisbane, chief executive Dr Jens Goennemann said it was a great day for Australian Army Aviation, the ADF and Australian Aerospace. (see full story)... Read more
30-Nov-2011
We are receiving initial reports of a Black Hawk making an emergency landing in Headen Park on the northern outskirts of Sydney.  It was en route to Newcastle when a warning light came on. No damage, no injuries... Read more
24-Oct-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Australian Army today announced the graduation of the 100th helicopter pilot to earn their wings through the Helicopter Qualification Course delivered under the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) program in Oakey. “Graduating the 100th helicopter pilot is a significant achievement for both Boeing and the Australian Army. It... Read more
21-Aug-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it will use a Helimod helicopter simulator leased from Ryan Aerospace to help train Australian Army pilots to fly Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters. Delivery is expected before the end of this year. “Under our Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract, Boeing has traditionally taught students to fly... Read more
21-Jul-2011
Helicopter attacked by peace activist while parked at Rockhampton Airport. See also our story here... Read more
30-May-2011
An Australian Army Officer (later named as Marcus Case) was killed when an Australian Chinook Helicopter crashed while undertaking a re-supply mission in Zabul Province.... Read more
19-Apr-2011Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] earlier this month reached the milestone of supporting the Australian Army’s 27 Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters for more than 60,000 flight hours. The achievement includes 180 hours of relief efforts following the recent cyclone and flooding in Queensland. Boeing and its heritage companies have supported the Kiowa for 14 years. Since the... Read more
10-Mar-2011
Emergency landing on a playing field yesterday after indications of a possible engine fault... Read more
6-Mar-2011Source: Sandel Avionics
Sandel Avionics has announced that its 4-ATI SA4550 Primary Attitude (EADI) and SN4500 Primary Navigation (EHSI) Displays have been chosen by the Australian Army to upgrade its fleet of Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters. Panel design and installation work for the systems, which included Sandel’s on-demand NVIS option, was performed by Sikorsky Helitech in Brisbane. With... Read more
1-Mar-2011Source: CAE
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, CAE, and BAE Systems today announced the formation of an industry team to pursue the AIR 9000 Phase 7 program in Australia. The AIR 9000 Phase 7 program, also called the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS), is intended to provide a rotary wing training capability for the Australian Navy and Army... Read more
17-Feb-2011Source: CAE
CAE Australia today announced that a major upgrade to the Australian Army’s S-70A Black Hawk full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) has been completed on-schedule and recently entered service for the Australian Army. CAE Australia, prime contractor under the Management and Support of the Australian Defence Force’s Aerospace Simulators (MSAAS) contract, upgraded the S-70A Black Hawk... Read more
24-Nov-2010
An Army Black Hawk helicopter from the 5th Aviation Regiment, based at Townsville, Queensland, conducted an emergency landing near Yass... Read more
27-Feb-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has signed an AU$44 million change proposal with the Commonwealth of Australia to increase the scope of the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract. Awarded the contract in 2007, Boeing subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia has been supporting the Australian Army’s Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician... Read more
9-Feb-2009
9-Feb-09 Sikorsky UH-60 Dili Airport, East TImor... Read more
