more grist for the mill
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21431201-31477,00.html
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US maker warns battle on if Seasprites junked
* Patrick Walters, National security editor * March 23, 2007
THE US maker of the navy's troubled Seasprite helicopters has warned the Howard Government of a lengthy legal battle should the $1billion program be scrapped.
In a letter sent last week to Defence Minister Brendan Nelson, Kaman Corporation's chief executive defended the company's performance on the long-running contract and urged the Government to allow the Seasprites to become operational.
Nine Seasprites have been provisionally handed over to the navy but the fleet has been grounded for nearly a year after a series of software engineering and airworthiness issues.
The twin-engine SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites, equipped with Penguin anti-ship missiles, are designed to operate from the navy's Anzac-class frigates, providing a maritime strike and surveillance capability for the surface fleet.
Defence estimates the Seasprites will not be fully operational until 2010 at the earliest, six years late. Cabinet's national security committee will consider a Defence submission recommending the Seasprite contract with Kaman be terminated. Senior defence sources say the legal implications of junking the Seaprites have been the key factor delaying a final decision on the fate of the aircraft.
In his letter to Dr Nelson, Kaman boss Paul Kuhn urged the minister to complete the program, saying a fully mission-capable aircraft would be available in the second quarter of this year and that air certification was the only major work left.
"The cost and time required to bring the aircraft to the point that the commonwealth believes is needed for certification purposes is $US37.7million ($47 million) and up to 29 months, which is substantially less than the cost and time that would be involved in pursuing a different aircraft, none of which have the complete mission capability of the Seasprite," Mr Kuhn said.
Cancellation would mean an arbitration process "which promises to be lengthy and provide much opportunity to keep the Seasprite program in the public eye, will uphold the reputation of the SH-2G and Kaman's contract position (resulting in a substantial damage award to Kaman) while also exposing weaknesses in the commonwealth's defence-procurement system," he wrote.
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regards adf asw capability - I vaguely remember the Orions having some form of ASW capability - sonar buoy and torpedoes? A quick google found
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=360427
"Australia faces growing submarine threat
1st March 2007, 9:48 WST
Australia faces a growing threat from regional nations equipped with modern submarines, a new study warns.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) says Australia's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities had lagged behind because regional nations had few submarines and those were of dubious capability.
But many regional nations were now acquiring modern submarines and weapons.
"The upshot is that Australia will soon face a region that has a much greater capability to conduct submarine operations," ASPI analyst Dr Andrew Davies said in the study.
"In a contingency, submarines will be able to seriously threaten the operation of surface fleets and commercial trade.
"Australia simply cannot expect to be able to conduct major naval operations in waters patrolled by submarines without a major upgrade to its ASW capabilities."
Under current plans Indonesia is buying four Russian built Kilo class boats with more to follow. Malaysia has two French boats on order. Vietnam is contemplating acquiring two or three Kilo class boats.
China, Pakistan and India already possess significant submarine fleets.
Dr Davies said the major shortfalls in Australia's ASW capability included frigate sonar systems with a limited ability to detect submarines across a wide range of sea conditions, restricted helicopter ASW capability and limited data networking across the fleet.
He said decisions to be made this year on new ships had the potential to impact on Australia's ability to operate in areas where opposition from submarine could be expected.
Australia is currently buying expensive air warfare destroyers (AWDs) and helicopter landing ships, both capable of performing a significant ASW role if equipped with suitable equipment.
Dr Davies said the AWDs could be fitted with the advanced sonar systems and helicopters needed to perform an ASW operation.
He said the navy currently possesses three types of helicopter - Sea Hawks, elderly Sea Kings and the still troubled Sea Sprites - when what it really needs is just one type. The proposed new MRH90 could be fitted with advanced ASW capabilities including a dunking sonar and surface search radar.
On the plus side the RAAF's Orion AP-3C maritime surveillance aircraft and the navy's six Collins submarines possess advanced ASW capabilities, which can be further improved through ongoing upgrades."
I would have thought some form of dunking sonar on the maritime MRH-90s would have been a no brainer.
rb
