Mil News Australia, NZ, Oceania Military News

[BravoZulu]

Construction will begin on Boeing’s new production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, to support the manufacture of Australia’s first military combat aircraft designed and developed in over 50 years – the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.

The 9,000 square-metre facility at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct is expected to be operational in the next three years. The company’s latest investment in Australia will bring new aerospace skillsets and technologies, such as advanced composites manufacturing and robotics to Queensland.

“Boeing Australia is investing to bring this innovative, uncrewed capability to market in the timeframe that supports our customers’ future needs,” said Amy List, managing director, Boeing Defence Australia. “The MQ-28 is designed to transform air combat and provide affordable mass for Australia and our allies.”

“We’re partnering with the Queensland Government and Wagner Corporation to build Boeing’s first final assembly facility outside of North America – which is indicative of our global focus and a continued commitment to a sustainable and robust Australian aerospace industry.”

Wagner Corporation will develop and manage construction of the facility at their Toowoomba precinct using sustainable construction methods, and work with Boeing to incorporate renewable technologies and human-centric design.

The MQ-28 production facility will include aerospace manufacturing capabilities, including carbon fibre composites manufacture, along with advanced robotic assembly for major components, and final assembly and test capabilities.
https://www.boeing.com.au/news/2024/new-boeing-mq-28-production-facility-begins-construction-in-quee

 

[TheKiwi]

The (NZ) Ministry of Defence is hunting for new helicopters to replace the Navy’s ageing Seasprite fleet. A multi-national defence giant has stepped up its campaign for New Zealand to select its state-of-the-art submarine-hunting choppers, but could Government cost-cutting ground the project? George Block reports.

As mission-readiness rates drop for military aircraft amid a shortage of skilled staff and ageing airframes, an Italian defence conglomerate has begun lobbying for New Zealand to buy a fleet of its naval helicopters.

The Herald can reveal Leonardo, one of the world’s largest defence contractors, has been courting Kiwi companies and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with local firms, including Beca and Core Aviation on the North Shore.

Leonardo wants New Zealand to select its AW159 Wildcats as the country’s new naval ship-borne helicopters to replace the ageing Seasprites.
The head of its UK helicopter division visited this country last week, where he pledged to establish a “Wildcat support centre” in Auckland, bringing more than 40 jobs, if its choppers are chosen.

Last year, the Seasprites had a serviceability rate - meaning mission readiness - of just 19 per cent. In 2019 their serviceability was 38 per cent, falling to 30 per cent the following year, 22 per cent in 2021, and 17 per cent in 2022, according to figures released by Defence under the Official Information Act.

More at: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/navy-...maritime-aircraft/3LXTWSLPVRH7FAIZ3LQ2OSPU4I/

Non-Paywall version: https://archive.ph/YRu5P

 

[av405]

Leonardo wants New Zealand to select its AW159 Wildcats as the country’s new naval ship-borne helicopters to replace the ageing Seasprites.
The head of its UK helicopter division visited this country last week, where he pledged to establish a “Wildcat support centre” in Auckland, bringing more than 40 jobs, if its choppers are chosen.

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

 

[OldGuy]

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

Parts, training and lots of it, which goes right back to Fort Rucker, my old 13th Combat Aviation Bn still going strong providing the Maintenance training for the Blackhawk.

 

[TheKiwi]

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

A lot of it will depend on what the government selects as the replacement for the current ANZAC class frigates. If we go with the same model as Australia then we should go down the Sea Hawk route to maintain commonality. If on the other hand we select a different (probably cheaper and smaller) model to replace the ANZACs then the Wildcat may well be a good choice.

 

[gafkiwi]

A lot of it will depend on what the government selects as the replacement for the current ANZAC class frigates. If we go with the same model as Australia then we should go down the Sea Hawk route to maintain commonality. If on the other hand we select a different (probably cheaper and smaller) model to replace the ANZACs then the Wildcat may well be a good choice.

One of the possible short comings of the Wildcat would be how much it can carry both internally and underslung. Some of the key tasks of the RNZN Super Seasprites is stores carry/ replen, pretty important for disaster relief and support to other Govt agencies. The Wildcats would need to do almost double the amount of flights to achieve what the Kamans are doing now.
In regards to ships they would've hopefully learnt from the HMNZS Endeavour. Don't select a ship with a helo deck/facilities only capable of a smaller helo (Wasp) only to replace the Helo soon after with something that is too heavy for the flight deck. Bonus though being the crew ends up with an over sized gym and exercise area from the unused hanger and helo deck.