Page 9 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec21-Jan22

ADVERTORIAL
SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES AUSTRALIA IS SEXPANDING ITS LOCAL MRO & TRAINING CAPABILITIES
AFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES AUSTRALIA based in Syd- ney is a centre of excellence, providing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) support to the MTR390 and RTM322
engine fleets operated by the ADF and RNZDF and the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) type 323 installed on the Hawk aircraft utilised by the LIF Program. Safran Helicopter Engines Australia also provides deep maintenance and Customer Support throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands for the Airbus powered Arriel and Arrius fleets.
For the past few months Safran Helicopter Engines Australia has been working to expand in-country capability for MRO facilities and working on the following projects:
• Newhigh-techMROlineandservicesfortheMRH90Taipan
Helicopter APU (Auxiliary Power Unit). The APU makes the MRH90 totally self-sufficient for starting and ground opera-
tion through the supply of mechanical power to the helicopter’s remote accessory gear-box. This new MRO capability will be primarily supported by an upgrade of our test cell to perform this new activity, the establishment of an APU workshop that meets the current volume forecasted, the acquisition of new equipment, tools and an inventory of local spare parts for a total investment of over $1m AUD. Expected commissioning Q3 2022
• Increase of part repair capability at Bankstown Airport facility for the Safran RTM322 engine equipping the MRH90 as well as subcontracting repair work to RUAG
• New machinery purchased in the clean-line to further improve efficiency as well as exploring the use of Cryogenic cleaning technology in 2022
• Launched the investment of welding equipment to increase site capability
• Set up of a state-of-the-art Training School for both civilian and military helicopter pilots and technicians
The expected outcome of these projects is to reduce strategic
and operational risk to the MRH90 Taipan platform through the introduction of key capabilities within Australia.
Under the COVID-19 environment of fractured logistics ser- vices and the Asia-Pacific geopolitical situation, there has never been a better time to secure critical capabilities within Australia to support the Australian aviation industry base.
It will allow Safran Helicopter Engines Australia to be further aligned with the Defence Industrial Capability Plan priorities and to enable us to conduct more efficient maintenance within Australia.
These new capabilities will bring Safran Helicopter Engines Aus- tralia and its customers a number of advantages:
• Skills Development: product expertise will be gained and shared with our end customer. This will extend local Australian knowledge and contribute to improved troubleshooting and preventive maintenance in the field.
• Job Creation: the forecasted workload has created the opportu- nity to grow our team, requiring the recruitment of additional Aircraft Mechanics and creating opportunities for career devel- opment within our existing team. The creation of the Training School will require the recruitment of a new Training Manager. This position requires extensive technical and pedagogical knowledge, including extensive experience working with Gas Turbine Engines and Aircrafts’ avionics and airframe that usual- ly takes between 5 to 10 years to acquire.
• Industry capacity and capability growth: establishing in-coun- try capability will allow Safran Helicopter Engines Australia to take control of MRO turnaround time (TAT), eliminating the logistics TAT and improving our ability to rapidly respond to customer requirements.
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