Australia accepted its 14th MRH 90 helicopter yesterday as the program was placed on Government’s projects of concern list.
Primary contractor Australian Aerospace is due to produce 46 of the medium lift helicopters to replace Army’s Black Hawks and Navy’s Sea Kings under Project Air 9000 Phase 2, 4 and 6. A pair of reviews this year concluded that significant technical issues have left the project running about two years late and facing the prospect of further delays.
The delays will force Army to extend its Black Hawk fleet and Navy to generate an additional flight from its already stretched Seahawks. The MRH 90 was placed on the projects of concern list despite Australian Aerospace having agreed to a remediation plan on November 24.
