OPINION – Caribou replacement to be deferred?
Word from Defence and industry sources is that the long awaited AIR 8000 Phase 2 battlefield Airlifter (BFA) – i.e. the Caribou replacement – may fall victim to the Gillard Government’s stubborn ‘at all costs’ determination to return to a budget surplus next year. Defence has been trying to replace the Caribou’s fixed wing STOL
OPINION – Bell 429 for RMI is clever marketing
Raytheon Australia’s replacement of its Agusta A109E Power helicopters it has operated since 2007 for the Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) at Nowra with three new Bell 429s was a clever bit of marketing on the company’s behalf. Not only is Raytheon offering the 429 for the ADF’s AIR 9000 Phase 7 helicopter aircraft
Navy’s RMI retires A109, prepares for 429
The RAN’s 723SQN retired its three Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) flight Agusta A109E Powers on March 9, in preparation for the arrival of its first new Bell 429s next month. The retirement ceremony was conducted after a flight around the Nowra and Jervis Bay region by the three A109s, and a water cannon salute
Future tanker work tied to C295 buy
For the first time, Airbus Military has directly linked the possibility of future A330 MRTT conversion work for overseas programs being performed in Australia with its bid for the Air 8000 Phase 2 battlefield airlifter (BFA) program. Speaking to media in Sydney today, Airbus Military program manager Valentin Merino said that, while it was offering
New Zealand welcomes NH90s
New Zealand Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman officially welcomed the first two of the RNZAF’s new NH90 helicopters at Wellington Airport on March 9 The MH90s will replace UH-1H Iroquois in service. In a statement, Dr Coleman said: “This is a very significant day for the Air Force and the wider NZDF. The NH90 helicopters
Japanese Hercules makes good will visit
For the first time, a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules transport aircraft will make a three-day goodwill visit to RAAF Base Richmond from March 14. The visit is aimed at reaffirming commitment between the two services in providing emergency airlift relief in the Asia -Pacific region. Officer Commanding No. 84 Wing Group Captain Don
