Submarine Matters frequently looks at non-submarine issues. To that end here is a European helicopter Australia unfortunately bought.
Australia has spent more than a decade and more than a $1 Billion trying to turn its 22 dysfunctional Eurocopter, now Airbus, Tiger Armed Reconnaisance Helicopters (ARH) into viable weapon systems. Wags indicate that the selection of the Tiger in 2001 was based much on its ability to
loop-the-loop, rather than choosing highly developed, mature and battle-tested US Apaches or Cobras.
- On 1 July 2007, because of delays in attaining operational capability, Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation stopped all payments in regards to the procurement.[23]
- The first two ARH helicopters were delivered to Australia on 15 December 2004. ARH deliveries were to be completed by June 2010 with Full operating capability planned for December 2011.[99]
- In October 2010, it was revealed that the helicopters will not be fully operational for another two years.[25]
- In 2012 after three incidents with cockpit fumes that endangered aircrew, Australian pilots voted to not fly until all safety concerns were addressed.[100]
- The system cost (helicopter, armament, support) and unit cost varies between variants; Australia's Tiger ARH has a price per unit of A$68 million,[50]
- The 2016 Australian Defence White Paper stated that the Tiger helicopters will be replaced with other armed reconnaissance aircraft in the mid 2020s.[102] Issues cited include lack of commonality with the other Tiger variants, high maintenance cost of the engines and the shipping time of sending parts to Europe for repair and reconditioning.
On October 9, 2017 DEFENCE CONNECT reported that:
In May [2017, the then], Chief of Army [and now Chief of the Australian Defence Force]
General Angus Campbell...said at Senate estimates that, despite reaching final operating capability (FOC), nine caveats [for the Tiger] have not been met.
"There are nine specific areas of capability that have not met that level we anticipated when we purchased the aircraft," said GEN Campbell.
"We would have to consider either the nature of the operations or the flight envelope in which the aircraft was operating in order to find other ways to mitigate or prevent those lesser capability outcomes being of concern to us on operations."
The aircraft was further criticised, with GEN Campbell noting it is unlikely it will ever achieve its original target.
"I don't think it will be achieving its original target, I do think it has the potential to achieve its budgeted target," he said."
PETE COMMENT
So Australia's Tiger helicopters will never fly in action, and certainly haven't ever flown in our Middle East/Afghanistan war zones. But the 22 Tigers have only cost the taxpayer more than $1 Billion, so far. Problem solved.
Pete
The impacts of choosing a “ lemon” is now indelibly stamped on the national psyche. The procurement bodies are so petrified of buying another “Tiger” or media victimised “Collins Class” that now we may be bogged down in the quogmire of indecision. Paranoia heaped by the long cold bony finger of BLAME!. Yes folks, palate loads zanex may well be the way of the future for all those with the burden of performance hoisted onto their shoulders.
ReplyDeleteThe volumes published on the “Avenue of Incompetence “ are just salivating for brand new entries. Hopefully Australia has no more room for this phenomenon.
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your continual good work in this blog.
For these Helicopters, what happens to them when they get replaced in a few year's time? Do they get buried? Recyle the metal?
Cheers!
Adrian
What is it with Australia and helicopters? Spend up to $1b (that's with a b) on a machine that will never operate as planned. Ditto with Karman Seasprite, another $1B (that's with a b) for a machine that couldn't possibly achieve what was envisioned. Don't you think there may be some lessons to be learned:- that is if the powers that be are not too fucking thick!
ReplyDeleteAs I was saying Astralia's choice of the under-developed Tiger is yet another Australian poor choice of helicopter failure - in the modification for 2-man Seasprite tradition. Australia should have bought mature, battle tested, Apaches or late model Super Cobras.
ReplyDeleteSo it is unsurprising to read on the OVD website [hat tip to By TIM B in AUSTRALIA, AVIATION, DAILY NEWS, HELICOPTER July 11, 2019] July 11, 2019 "Australia Seeks [Early] Replacement for Tiger Attack Helicopter" https://www.overtdefense.com/2019/07/11/australia-seeks-a-replacement-for-tiger-attack-helicopter/
"The Australian government has put out a request for information (RFI) on potential replacements for its Tiger ARH fleet under the Land 4503 programme. This was not unexpected as a 2016 White Paper stated the Australian Army intended to replace the aircraft in the mid-2020s. The released RFI follows this, asking for an initial operating capability (IOC) by 2026 and stated the intention to procure 29 aircraft. Interestingly enough 2026 is also the year AH-64E [Apache] Version 6 is supposed to wrap up development. In fact, the RFI hints heavily towards the acquisition of AH-64E."
"...So why replace the Tigers in the first place? The aircraft won’t even be two decades old by the time the recently renewed maintenance contract expires in 2025.
Why not wait until Future Vertical Lift begins production in the mid-2030s?
Well to say the Australian Army has had a POOR TIME WITH THE TIGER ARH would be a vast understatement.
The FOC wasn’t reached until 2016, nearly 7 years later than desired and trials on the Canberra class LHDs were completed until late 2018..."