Groover158

Hi all,
The project I have been with for the last three years is hitting a major milestone with the In-Service Date of the MRH 90 on 18 Dec. MRHs 002 and 003 arrived in Brisbane last month so I took a couple of pics. Once fully mature, this will be an excellent aircraft for the ADF, eventually replacing Black Hawk and the Sea King platforms.

Attachment 40990

Attachment 40991

Attachment 40992

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D-AIHC

Thanks for the pics and info! I have a few questions:

1. Who builds the MRH 90? Where is it built?
2. Which branch of the armed forces, besides the Navy, will use it?
3. What is the primary function of the MRH 90? Cargo/troops/equipment transport? Close support? SAR? Recon?

Thanks in advance!

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Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997

B-16707

wow that looks so savage. look at all the body lines!

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Groover158

The MRH 90 is built by NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) which comprises four partner companies (Eurocopter, Eurocopter Deutchland, Agusta Westland and Stork Fokker). MRH001-004 were built in France at Eurocopters Marignane Facility, the remainder will be assembled in Brisbane, Australia.

Both the Australian Army and Navy will operate the MRH 90. In total, we are purchasing 46 of these helicopters.

The primary roles of the MRH 90 are Airborne Mobility Operations, Aero-medical Evacuation and External Load or, as you stated; Cargo/troops/equipment transport. The MRH 90 is based on the German NH90 TTH (Troop Transport Helicopter).

Ray

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D-AIHC

Thanks for the info, Ray! Will the Army and Navy get an equal split of 23 each? If not, what is the no. of units for the Army and Navy? Also, what's the price tag for each unit? Thanks!

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Groover158

The Navy will get around 6-8 and the Army will get the rest. Our project originally started life as an additional troop-lift capability of 12 aircraft (Project AIR9000 Phase 2) and then expanded to become Black Hawk and Sea King replacements as well (Projects AIR9000 Phases 4 and 6). AIR9000 is a concept involving rationalising of the ADF's helicopter fleets (currently too many disparate aircraft types). The intention is to rotate the aircraft between the Army and the Navy (sort of like a rotational pool) but Army will definitely have the majority.

Not sure of the unit cost, but the program is worth a bit over AU$4 Billion for the Acquisition and 15 years of Sustainment.

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Groover158

It was certainly an option as was the UH-60M Black Hawk.

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Groover158

I think the EH101 is a brilliant aircraft, but I think it was too big for our needs. I guess that size isn't everything. There are probably a number of other reasons (costs, ability to operate of certain Australian ships, etc); but the Merlin was ruled out before I got to the Project (not that I would have made any difference ).

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