Page 8 - Australian Defence Magazine September 2019

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
MRH-90 helicopters grounded at HMAS Albatross
The MRH-90 helicopters were highlighted as a Project of Concern in the ANAO’s 2017- 2018 Major Projects report.
“The MRH-90 aircraft sustained a tail rotor vibration en route to Brisbane Air- port. The aircraft captain aborted the mis- sion and returned to HMAS Adelaide for a precautionary landing. No personnel were injured.
“The full circumstances that led to the precautionary landing are under investiga- tion. While the investigation is underway, the ADF has ceased all MRH-90 flying pending further technical investigation and advice.”
“No other ADF aircraft have been affect- ed by this temporary cessation.”
The MRH-90 helicopters were high- lighted as a Project of Concern in the ANAO’s 2017-2018 Major Projects re- port, with 89 months of project slippage. The MRH-90s suffered the greatest in- year setback, delaying FOC by another 29 months.
EWEN LEVICK | SYDNEY
THE ADF’s MRH-90 Multi-Role helicop- ter fleet was grounded last month following an incident involving RAN’s 808 Squadron at HMAS Albatross.
Reports in ACM media titles cite a tail ro- tor vibration detected during a flight to Bris-
bane on July 11, which forced an MRH-90 to land on HMAS Adelaide as a precaution. “An Australian Army MRH-90 aircraft conducted a precautionary landing on HMAS Adelaide on 11 July 2019,” a De-
fence spokesperson confirmed to ADM.
Thales buys insolvent Hawkei engine manufacturer
EWEN LEVICK | SYDNEY
THALES has bought bankrupt Hawkei engine manufacturer Steyr Motors, it has emerged.
The Austrian company went into receiv- ership in February, threatening the supply of engines to the Hawkei progam and the jobs of 150 Thales workers in Bendigo.
The news saw some vehicles slated for Initial Operational Capability delayed, al- though Final Operational Capability is set to occur as scheduled. Army has procured engines for the vehicles scheduled under low rate initial production and has an order for the subsequent 1,000 engines.
According to Austrian news outlets, four bidders, some under tender groups, were in the race to buy Steyr, with Thales only en- tering the bidding process two weeks ago. Negotiations reportedly concluded late Wednesday night local time. The purchase price is unclear.
“It was one of my [most] costly proce- dures so far, since there were economic,
technical and legal problems,” liquidator Norbert Mooseder said.
“Thales is fully committed to deliver- ing the world-class Hawkei to the ADF,” a Thales spokesperson said to ADM.
“After a deep-dive analysis of the Steyr Motors situation, Thales has committed to support the company to ensure long term sustainability and assure engine supply.
“Thales has been working closely with Steyr Motors for several
years and we know the
quality of its products
so this decision has been made with an ex- cellent understanding of the context.
“Thales will contin- ue to work closely with the Commonwealth to deliver Hawkei to the ADF.”
Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle variants at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq.
“Thales have kept us closely in the loop. They’ve leant forward very heavily to sup- port Steyr Motors,” MAJGEN Bottrell told ADM earlier this year. “The advice we’ve had back through the administrator is that had Thales not done that, then Steyr Mo- tors may not have continued to operate.”
Thales is contracted to deliver 138 Hawkei vehicles for IOC. All are set to be delivered towards the end of the year.
8 | September 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au
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