R686 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 23:15
SW1 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 21:35
I could go on in that Australia used an internal system to control configuration and spares life which didn’t account for time on shelf and hence they lost configuration of there entire nh90 fleet now when that happens and you don’t know what’s on what aircraft and how much life you have they have you in for one big bill to sort out.
If that were the case, then it would affect the ADF across the entire fleet of aircraft Blackhawks CH-47 along with RAAF with E7A KC30A
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament ... Helicopter
SW1 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 21:35
Spares supply has been issue for Australia were as New Zealand operated a smaller fleet with bigger spares holding and has been operated relatively ok.
NZ bought a 9th aircraft just for spare issues, they to are having parts issues as the turnaround time for refurbishment from Europe is a fundamental issue. I have heard that the Kiwis are cannibalizing aircraft parts from one to another to keep 4-5 operational at any one time. Apparently they are also waiting on a gearbox to return from the OEM since 2018
SW1 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 21:35
As a concept nh90 suffered a similar fate to a380 to many configurations for too many international regulators and ended up a bit of nightmare. Sweden and Denmark were operating the asw version which has had spare availability issues and asw systems issues, Merlin has had similar issues in the uk.
Are you saying too many cooks?
Kiwi ADF birds are near identical except for radios things like that. but all aircraft have a common base design
SW1 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 21:35
At that point new is just about expensive and if you’re planning to integrate within American structures and systems you make the choice.
Integrating with US systems does not mean you have to use them, but it seems that because of scale of US made equipment buying from the US is less risk.
SW1 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2023, 21:35
Tiger is in at the MLU point as it is in Germany you either pay the big bill for an above or look to change approach. Australia acquired tiger to replace oh-58 Kiowa warrior in scout attack. The tigers first arrived in Australia in 2004. That’s nearly 20 years ago.
Agree and they have chosen!
it's a pity as on paper they are very good.
I have to applaud SW1 for his energetic defence of the NH90, I really do, I'm glad someone likes it, just a shame it's not the air force's or Navies that have to operate them.
Sweden finally threw in the towel because they only ever had 5 or 6 of their delivered 12 machines operational, the others were constantly U/S...
Let's not get into the soft as butter floor plates or the corrosion issues, yep, corrosion issues on a Naval helicopter.... Sort of the basics really...
The problem with the soup of European helicopter manufacturers, is anything that follows is firmly painted with the same brush....
It leaves a bad taste in the mouth and gives ( what might be a fine helicopter) a mountain to climb to land a sale....
With balance and fairness in mind, the UK embarked on the last British Helicopter, the final throw of the dice that became Wildcat.
It should have been apparent from the very first industry gathering around a conference table at Whitehall, that the subsequent helicopter born from that meeting would be so removed from its parent Lynx heritage and so very bespoke /extremely expensive, there would be (at best) a 'tiny' prospect of foreign sales.
The Government knew this fully and cracked on anyway, pouring precious defence money away on yet another bespoke folly....
It is apparently reliable and an excellent Naval helicopter though, so there's always that to take comfort in, perhaps it's reassuringly expensive!