Page 77 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

Changing Above: The SH-90A is the most modern helicopter

in Italian Navy service. A fi rst example was
delivered to Luni in June 2011. Today, it is
of the guard over the intercom. It’s a clear day identified as a trawler, most likely SH-90A MM81590 ‘3-14’ is armed with an M134D
operational with 4° and 5° Gruppo Elicotteri.
door gun. All photos Dr Andreas Zeitler

T
arget acquired, range 53
interests in the area. Recently, this work
“
kilometres, course 135,”
home-ported at Taranto, not far
has involved rescuing refugees attempting
to cross the water from North Africa.
comes the announcement
from the SH-90A’s home station
of Marina Stazione Elicotteri
Prized asset
and the sea is calm. The Cabin
(Maristaeli, Naval Helicopter
Station) Grottaglie in southern Italy.
Crew Chief (CCC), Luigi Grilli, has
Massimiliano ‘Max’ Buzzoni, a flight
With the training mission’s final
no difficulty acquiring the target.
instructor, outlined some of the advantages
Seated beside him, the Sensor task accomplished, the SH-90A breaks Capitano di Fregata (Commander)
Operator (SENSO), Francesca Carrieri, slaves away to return to its base. During a real of the SH-90A: “The excellent speed of
the infrared sensor on to the reported mission the target would have required a around 300km/h and a radius of action of
position. At around 11 miles (18km) from clear identification and a closer approach. around 700km at maximum load enable
the target, the first black and white dots In the following weeks the SH-90A will be a much larger sector to be patrolled on
start to appear on the glimmering green deployed, operating from Marina Militare each flight. Also, the helicopter’s mission
image generated by the IR sensor. Today, (Italian Navy) ships and flying patrols in support system makes it possible to perform
the uniform surface temperature of the of Operation Mare Sicuro in the central autonomous and joint operations without
Mediterranean means the target can be easily Mediterranean. The helicopter will be tasked any role change. Decision-making in flight
differentiated against its background on the with maritime patrol and, whenever necessary, is aided by comprehensive sensor, voice
operator’s multifunctional display (MFD). search and rescue (SAR). Mare Sicuro was and data communications and weapons
The laser rangefinder now provides a readout launched in March 2015 as a response systems with data-fusion support. An
of 4.9 miles (8km), while the helicopter to the Libyan crisis and initially patrolled advanced, integrated avionics suite ensures
hovers steady above the sea. The target is the Channel of Sicily to protect national easy and reliable communications with
www.airforcesmonthly.com #354 SEPTEMBER 2017 // 77