Blackhawk S70A-9
The Black Hawk S70A-9 derived from the US Army’s principal battlefield mobility helicopter, the UH60 Black Hawk.Made by Sikorsky, the company founded by Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the world’s first helicopter,
Australia procured the Blackhawk to provide the Army with a high level of battlefield mobility. The Black Hawk is faster and more manoeuvrable than the Iroquois, the old workhorse whose rhythmically thumping blades were, for many, synonymous with the Vietnam conflict.
The Black Hawk can carry a full infantry section of 10 compared to the Iroquois’ seven man payload while its twin T700-GE-701A turbo shaft engines can push the Black Hawk along at 269 km/h. Even with one engine out, it can cruise at 117km/h. Not only does it have the advantage of twin motors, the Black Hawk provides much greater safety as every essential flying system, such as hydraulic and fuel lines, has a back-up.
The Black Hawk is a multi-role aircraft. Ideally suited to its primary role of providing straight air mobility, the Black Hawk can provide a significant stores lift capacity, carrying items either inside or slung below the aircraft as well as, when required, playing a vital role in community support tasks such as search and rescue and the provision of flood relief.
Another feature of the Black Hawk is its sophisticated avionics package that significantly improves the craft’s long range and night navigation capabilities. This is particularly useful in Australia where forces need to deploy, both day and night, over vast distances. The Black Hawks are operated by the Australian Army Aviation Corps and are based at Townsville, Queensland.
ARH Tiger
The Tiger Armed Reconnaisance Helicopter (ARH) is equipped with leading edge technology in its sensors, data links and communications and provide a major new capability for Army. Fitted with Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets and cannons, the heavily armed Tiger ARH will significantly enhance the reconnaissance and firepower capabilities of the Army combined arms team.
The Tigers’ flexibility, ability to deploy at short notice and to operate in diverse circumstances represents a revolution in the Australian Army’s operational versatility. The Army will be able to conduct tactical reconnaissance and escort and protect our Black Hawk helicopters as they transport troops and supplies.
MRH 90 Multi Role Helicopter
The MRH 90 is the first true fly-by-wire helicopter in the world and is equipped with a Forward Looking Infra Red system for flight in low light and has the same pilot helmet-mounted sight and display as used in the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. It has a larger cabin than the current troop lift aircraft.
CH47-D Chinook
The Chinook is a twin-turbine engine, tandem rotor helicopter designed for medium lift and cargo support. The Vertol corporation (later to become Boeing Vertol) designers of the Chinook, favoured a twin-rotor design. This allowed a wider centre of gravity range, lower downwash velocities close to the ground and a helicopter of minimum size given the types of payloads that needed to be carried such as Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles and other outsized cargo.Australia signed an order for 12 CH-47C Chinooks in March 1972 and these aircraft went into service with 12 Squadron, RAAF, based at Amberley.
C Squadron of the Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment based in Townsville was formally brought onto the Order of Battle on June, 30 1995 and received the four aircraft in May and June of that year. 2 additional CH-47D were acquired under Project Air130 in 2001.
While mainly used as a medium-lift helicopter throughout the world, Chinooks are also used for rapelling, parachuting and water operations with special forces. Versatility, matched with a high serviceability rate and cost effectiveness, are the main reasons for the Chinook’s popularity. Around 700 of these helicopters are operating around the world and it has proved itself in conflicts such as Vietnam, the Falklands War, Panama, the Gulf War and Haiti.