Singapore confirms A330 MRTT order; additional two S-70 Seahawks

Airbus A330 with a Portugese Air Force F-16. © Airbus

Singapore's Ministry of Defence, via it's Cyberpioneer Facebook/Twitter account, has confirmed that Singapore will acquire the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport and the two more S-70 Seahawks. No timeframe for delivery has been revealed, nor has the number of MRTTs being acquired been stated, but it has been reported earlier that it will be six MRTTs, while Flightglobal has reported on the additional Seahawks (reportedly fitted for Littoral missions) as far back as February last year.

VIDEO: Australian Maritime Counter-Terrorism exercise Iron Moon 2013

Jumping out of a perfectly good C-17 (Screengrab from video). © Commonwealth of Australia

Boats and counter-terrorist special forces air dropped from a C-17, VBSS teams boarding a simulated hijacked commercial vessel by rappeling down from Blackhawks and more...

This is an awesome video from the Australian Department of Defence shot during Exercise IRON MOON 2013, a two week Maritime Counter Terrorism training exercise in the waters off Exmouth and Dampier in North West Australia. The annual exercise involved several hundred personnel from across Defence and Australian federal and state civilian agencies. The exercise is designed to enhance and validate the ADF Maritime Counter Terrorism response capability in the most realistic environment possible.

[UPDATED] U.S. military helicopter crashes in Okinawa

A United States Air Force Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter has crashed on the island of Okinawa. The crash happened at a maneuvering ground inside the U.S. Marines' Camp Hansen in central Okinawa, and three of the four crew on board have reportedly survived while one, flight engineer Tech Sgt. Mark A. Smith was unfortunately killed in the crash. Above is a reportedly a screengrab of the crash site as shown on Japanese broadcaster NHK.

The HH-60G would almost certainly to have been from the USAF's 33d Rescue Squadron, based at nearby Kadena Airbase. The squadron is part of the USAF's 18th Wing.

Romeo Must Fly: Australia's first MH-60R Seahawk takes to the air

© Commonwealth of Australia

The first of 24 Royal Australian Navy Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters flew for the first time at Sikorsky’s Production Facility in Connecticut on 26 June 2013. The acquisition of 24 MH-60Rs allows the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to provide at least eight helicopters embarked at any one time with Australia’s Anzac Class frigates and the new Hobart Class air warfare destroyers, with the remainder based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra. The "Romeos" will replace 16 older S-70B-2 Seahawks currently operated by the RAN.

More photos at http://images.navy.gov.au/S20130572

South Korean F-15s intercept Japanese Seahawk over disputed islands

Just to remind us that the Asia Pacific has more maritime disputes than just the Spratly/Paracel and the Senkaku (or Diaoyu, depending on who you agree with) Islands. South Korea recently scrambled four F-15Ks to intercept a Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) SH-60 Seahawk helicopter which flew into South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and approached within 54km of the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands.

The Seahawk was from the Murasame-class destroyer JS Ariake (DD-109), which was on its way from the Sasebo naval base in Nagasaki Prefecture to the Vladivostok area for a joint search and rescue drill with Russia.

Dokdo (South Korean name)/Takeshima (Japanese) are a group of small islets in the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Sovereignty over the islets is disputed between Japan and South Korea.

Taiwanese S-70C crashes during rescue mission, 5 missing

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has said that a Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) S-70C rescue helicopter has crashed into the sea 48 nautical miles southeast of Orchid Island on Monday night local time. The helicopter, serialed 7017, was on it's way to render assistance to a Taiwanese fisherman on a ship operating in the seas off Orchid Island who had suffered a heart attack.

Of the six crew, one nurse was rescued, but the remaining five crew members, including the pilot, deputy pilot, a medical officer, an engineer, and another nurse remain missing.

PHOTO: USAF Pave Hawks over the Alaskan twilight

Click on thumbnail to view high-resolution image (hosted on af.mil).

A pair of 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters fly over Alaska on a training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Sean Mitchell)

This is a beautiful photo. The lighting, scenery, composition and mood just speaks to me.

Australian Black Hawks return to the skies after grounding

Australian Army Blackhawk

After a temporary suspension of flying operations for the Australian Army's Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters since the 19th of January upon the discovery of a number of fractured bolts during a routine maintenance check, the fleet has returned to full flying operations following the lifting of the suspension.

A thorough engineering investigation was carried out following the discovery of the defective bolts, and results have indicated that the defective bolts were confined to a single manufacturer’s batch and were not a fleet wide issue. The defective batch of bolts has been quarantined from use.

The Australian Army currently operates The Australian Army operates 34 Black Hawk aircraft. Of that fleet, three are deployed to Timor Leste, and the remaining aircraft are based in Holsworthy Barracks in New South Wales and Townsville, Queensland.

PHOTO: MC-130P Combat Shadow refuels HH-60G Pave Hawks

Click on thumbnail to view high-resolution image.

An MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 17th Special Operations Squadron refuels HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, both stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, as they fly to Osan Air Base Korea for PACIFIC THUNDER Oct. 27. PACIFIC THUNDER is an annual 10-day exercise that takes place Oct. 31- Nov. 9 at Osan Air Base, Korea involving the 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea. These units work together to practice Combat Search and Rescue tactics to prepare for real-world emergency situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Angelique Bilog)

Story and more images at Kadena Air Force Base's website

PHOTO: Royal Thai Navy takes delivery of MH-60S Seahawks

Photo © Sikorsky. Click on thumbnail to view high resolution image.

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters flew into the Port of Baltimore headed to the Royal Thai Navy, marking the first delivery of the MH-60 to an international customer.

The U.S. Navy flew the aircraft from Owego, N.Y., to the Port of Baltimore, Md., ahead of their ocean voyage to Thailand. The aircraft were acquired via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

“MH-60S ‘Sierra’ helicopters have proven to be highly reliable utility aircraft for the U.S. Navy fleet,” said Michael Sears, the U.S. Navy’s international H-60 deputy program manager. “We are honored to provide Thailand with the same capability, along with pilot and maintainer training, spares and logistical support.”

The new Sierra aircraft are an integral part of the Royal Thai Navy’s fleet modernization program to augment the capabilities of six Sikorsky S-70B SEAHAWK and six marinized S-76B helicopters acquired through U.S. Foreign Military Sales in the late 1990s. The Navy has expressed interest in additional MH-60S purchases.

The MH-60S helicopters acquired by the Royal Thai Navy are designed for utility missions, such as logistics and troop transport. In addition, the standard searchlight and rescue hoist will enable aircrew to perform search and rescue missions.

Australia Chooses MH-60R to equip frigates; replace earlier Seahawks

After a sometimes-arduous process which included the embarrassing cancellation of an attempt to modernise the Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite for the role, Australia has chosen to purchase 24 Sikorsky/Lockheed-Martin MH-60R helicopters as its next naval rotary-wing platform. The multi-mission 'Romeo' will take on the role intended for the Super Seasprites in fulfilling Australia’s AIR 9000 Phase 8 requirement, to operate from its Anzac-class frigates and replacing 16 Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawks as the Royal Australian Navy's anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

Equipped with a mind-boggling array of modern sensors and weapons including the advanced AN/ASQ-22 dipping sonar (which has been likened to being an "underwater AEGIS"), AN/APS-147 multi-mode radar and capable of being armed with the Mk-54 air-launched torpedo and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare respectively, the two dozen-strong fleet will allow the RAN to keep eight ships equipped with a helicopter at any one time.

The value of the order is estimated at AU$3 billion ($3.15 billion), and will be processed through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channels, managed by the U.S. Navy. The RAN is expected to take delivery of the first two MH-60R helicopters in 2014.

The MH-60R has beaten off competition from the NH Industries NH90-based NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter), which would have offered significant commonality with the MRH90 battlefield transport helicopters being delivered to the Australian army. Despite this, problems with the Army's MRH90s that recently saw it narrowly avoid being put on the Defence Department's dreaded Projects of Concern list might have done a lot to derail the NFH's bid. That, combined with questions of how its composite airframe would react in a saltwater environment, swung the tide in favour of the more mature Sikorsky/Lockheed-Martin product.

USAF to hold seperate contest for helicopters

Contrary to earlier reports that used Army Blackhawks might be purchased, the USAF will now hold separate competitions for its Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) and HH-60 recapitalization programs. The CVLSP program will replace the service's geriatric fleet of Bell UH-1N Hueys while the HH-60 recapitalization program will replace 112 HH-60G Pave Hawk CSAR helicopters.

Sikorsky delivers 300th MH-60R/S to the US Navy

Putting it more than halfway into its contract to deliver its upgraded heavy-lift rotary warbirds to the U.S. Navy, Sikorsky has built its 300th MH-60 Seahawk helicopter. The production total stands at 100 MH-60R and 200 MH-60S Seahawks, with the USN eventually wanting 575.

PHOTO: Yokota Combat Shadow supports Operation Tomodachi

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)

An MC-130P Combat Shadow from Yokota Air Base's 17th Special Operations Squadron refuels a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 33rd Rescue Squadron over the Pacific Ocean March 18. The refueling missions are in support of humanitarian relief operations after an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami rocked Northeastern Japan March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

VIDEO: Devastation from tsunami at Matsushima Airbase

The Telegraph has a short video, taken from the air by a Japanese news network helicopter of the devastation at Matsushima AB. In the video you can see a UH-60J, U-125 02-3013, 10 different F-2s and a T-4 that had been damaged to varying degrees by the tsunami.

PHOTOS: Devastation from tsunami at Matsushima Airbase

NOTE: Click on thumbnails to view high res images


A JASDF UH-60J helicopter sits among debris at Matsushima air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, northeastern Japan, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)


Japanese vintage military planes have dirt on their wings at Matsushima air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, northeastern Japan, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)


A JASDF Mitsubishi F-2B fighter has its nose struck in a building at Matsushima air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, northeastern Japan, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)


An overview of JASDF Mitsubishi F-2 fighters damaged by the tsunami at Matsushima air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, northeastern Japan, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)


An pair of JASDF Mitsubishi F-2 fighters and a Kawasaki T-4 trainer damaged by the tsunami that swept through Matsushima air base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, northeastern Japan, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, one day after a giant quake and tsunami struck the country's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Tsunami hits Japan's Matsushima Airbase, damaging 18 JASDF F-2s

AP Photo/Kyodo News via Tim Robinson

Yesterday's devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan has caused severe damage to the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture, located approximately 120 km (80 miles) from the epicentre of the quake, which measured 8.9 on the Richter Scale.

According to the Japanese Defence Ministry, seawater from the tsunami has damaged 28 aircraft, including 18 Mitsubishi F-2 fighters of the JASDF's 21st Hikotai. A number of the damaged aircraft are expected to be total writeoffs.

Matsushima is also home to The Blue Impulse aerobatics team of the JASDF's 11th Hikotai, which were fortunately not at the base at the time, along with UH-60J helicopters and U-125s of the Matsushima Kyunantai (Air Rescue Squadron).

Info courtesy of Nikkei, Scramble and Kyle Mizokami of Japan Security Watch

Additional Links:
Matsushima Airbase on Wikipedia
Matsushima Airbase on Scramble
Higher resolution photos of damaged aircraft at Matsushima
Video of damaged aircraft at Matsushima

UAE to convert 23 Blackhawks into gunships

in a deal with Sikorsky worth about US$272 million, the UAE will convert 23 of its Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters into gunships. The plan involves purchasing weaponisation kits for the Blackhawks, and it part of a big weapons package announced at the IDEX defence exhibition.

Australia offered trade-in for its Seahawks, Blackhawks for MH-60Rs

Lockheed-Martin and Sikorsky have upped the ante for Australia's forthcoming naval helicopter contract by offering to take it's older Blackhawks and Seahawks in part-exchange for Australia choosing the Sikorsky MH-60R. The Romeo is running head-to-head with the NH Industries NFH-90 NATO Frigate Helicopter.

USS Shoup to deploy Seahawks for Avalon Airshow

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) is currently on a port visit to Fremantle, Western Australia. The Shoup will provide two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the upcoming Avalon Airshow in early March, when she will be on a port visit to nearby Melbourne.