https://www.janes.com/article/83509/aus ... -sof-helosManufacturers that have already expressed an interest in the requirement to Jane’s comprise Bell, which said it is to offer its UH-1Y Venom, and NorthStar Aviation, which is offering its 407 Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH). Earlier in 2018, Airbus Helicopters told Jane’s that it was discussing with a potential customer a requirement to airlift some of the company’s H145M battlefield support helicopters aboard a C-17. Although the company did not name Australia, it was understood that it was this SOF requirement that it was pursuing.
AD/RFI/7300/1
Special Operation Helicopters
https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=publi ... CB64522CFD
AD/RFI/7300/1 hat geschrieben:Defence is planning to acquire a fleet of light helicopters to enhance the ADF Special Operations
Aviation Capability as advised in the 2016 Defence White Paper. The helicopters are to be proven (already in service) Commercial or Military off the shelf, optimised for operating in dense urban environments, and capable of being rapidly deployed by air transport in ADF Boeing C-17 A Globemaster Ill aircraft. The helicopter should be capable of being fitted with simple, proven, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) equipment and weapons systems.
The project is currently in an exploratory phase, collecting information and proposals to inform concepts for capability realisation. The project is considering a wide range of procurement options based around a light helicopter as the major system.
AD/RFI/7300/2 hat geschrieben:Defence is planning to acquire a fleet of light helicopters to enhance the ADF Special Operations capability as advised in the 2016 Defence White Paper. The helicopters are to be proven (already in service) Commercial or Military off the shelf, optimised for operating in dense urban environments, and capable of being rapidly deployed by air transport in ADF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.
The helicopter will primarily support air assault of small Special Forces teams. To fulfil its secondary roles, the helicopter should be capable of being rapidly re-configured by fitment of simple, proven, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) equipment and weapons systems. The helicopter should also be capable of conducting general utility.
This RFI also seeks information on through life sustainment and support services such as; maintenance and engineering support, supply chain logistics warehousing and management, training of Defence aircrew and ground support staff, supply of Ground Servicing Equipment and various training simulators and aids, as well as access to Intellectual Property (IP) and Technical Data (TD).
AD/RFI/7300/2 hat geschrieben:The primary location for the capability will be at Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney, NSW. This is likely to be the location of the pilot training capability. Defence are considering establishing a second element at another as yet undecided location, which will be referred to as the “Independent Detachment”. Maintenance technician training will be located at Swartz Barracks, Oakey, QLD.
The capability must be capable of generating two deployable elements that can simultaneously deploy to and operate from separate “greenfield” sites. Each deployable element will usually consist of four (4) helicopters and must include all required tooling, spares and support equipment for a short duration activity (approx. 50 hours of flying over 5 to 7 days). The capability must have sufficient capacity that the home base (Sydney) and “Independent Detachment” can continue to operate from their normal locations while the deployed elements are away.
The capability must be able to be activated at very short notice including after hours, on weekends and public holidays. This will require additional quarantined spares, equipment and tooling to be provided to speed response times. This equipment should be suitably packaged to reduce the total volume and weight that is required to be transported.
AD/RFI/7300/2 hat geschrieben:Air Assault Role Description
The primary role for the helicopter is air assault of small teams. In this role, the standard payload is all of the following:
a. Two (2) 100kg Pilots
b. Four (4) 120kg Operators sitting on the floor. No seats are required but the cabin must have cargo points / cabin fittings so operators can attach a karabiner.
c. A fast roping system that can deliver passengers from out of ground effect (OGE) hover. The fast roping system must be able to deliver troops from both sides of the helicopter and each side of the system must be capable of simultaneously supporting a 120kg operator and a fast rope weighing up to 18kg.
The most frequent operating conditions for helicopter will be sea level altitude at 35 degrees Celsius (ISA + 20). When operating at these conditions and carrying the above payload, the helicopter must be able to:
a. Start up and warmup.
b. Cruise for at least 30 minutes at a speed of at least 90 knots to the target.
c. Conduct OGE hover for at least 5 minutes.
d. Cruise for at least 30 minutes at a speed of at least 90 knots back to start location.
The standard configuration may be altered based on the requirements of the tactical situation. In these circumstances, it is accepted that the payload or distance will need to be reduced. The following configuration options are desirable and are not required to be capable of being simultaneously fitted:
a. Sufficient cabin volume and fittings to transport six (6) passengers on the floor.
b. A rappelling system to allow two (2) operators per side (four (4) total) to rappel.
c. Ballistic protected crashworthy seating for pilots.
d. A ballistic protection kit for the cockpit to protect the pilot’s legs from small arms fire.
e. A threat detection, warning and countermeasure system to mitigate a range of guided and unguided threats to the helicopter.
f. A hoist system rated to at least 300lbs (136kgs).
The helicopter must also be capable of conducting general utility tasking including VIP and cargo transport. In this configuration the following options are desirable:
a. The ability to fit crashworthy troop seating in the cabin.
b. A ballistic protection kit for the cabin to protect passengers from small arms fire.
c. The ability to carry and secure a NATO standard stretcher.
AD/RFI/7300/2 hat geschrieben:ISR Configuration Description
When configured for the ISR role, the helicopter will require a proven, electro-optical sensor (EOS) with laser illuminator and laser designator. The EOS must be controllable from the cockpit and the live data must be capable of being displayed in both the cockpit and in the cabin. Any fixed display unit in the cabin should be capable of being removed to reduce weight when conducting other roles.
It is highly desirable that the helicopter has additional hardware to allow the live data from the EOS to broadcast to remote terminals.
AD/RFI/7300/2 hat geschrieben:Fire Support Configuration Description
When configured for the Fire Support role, the helicopter needs:
a. The ability to mount a support bar to assist a sniper to steady their weapon.
b. The ability to mount fixed forward firing and/or pintle mounted machine gun.
c. A mounting system that is able to suspend systems that use NATO 14 inch lugs.
d. At least two suspension points.
e. Each suspension point should be rated to 160kg.
f. A fire control system compatible with guns, rockets and precision missiles.
