Naval personnel take a keen interest in the first of the Super Seasprite helicopters set to come to the RAN. Picture: SGT W Guthrie, PACC/ACT.

Here it is…the first Super Seasprite helicopter for the Royal Australian Navy.

No 1 aircraft of 11 the Kaman Aerospace Corporation is building for the RAN, the helicopter went on public display at the Australian International Airshow 2001 conducted at Avalon Airport, in Victoria.

Cargo plane

As our picture shows, the multi-mission SH-2G (A) maritime aircraft attracted the attention of RAN personnel visiting the show. A C17 cargo aircraft of the US Airforce flew the fully assembled Seasprite across the Pacific delivering it to the Avalon Airport on February 10. In the same cargo hold was a military Apache attack helicopter.

Three days later, February 13, the Seasprite went on display for the five days of the show.

It was in "static" display mode and came fitted with red-nosed Penguin missiles.

Company Pilots

Completion of the show saw Kaman's company pilots fly the aircraft to HMAS ALBATROSS from where the aircraft will eventually be operated by the newly commissioned 805 Squadron

In ALBATROSS the helicopter will be the subject of systems integration, testing, training and operational evaluation.

Software

Kaman and its team of sub contractors are focussed on completing software development for the aircraft's integrated tactical avionics system.

The Australian Super Seasprites will operate from the RAN's eight ANZAC class frigates and other aircraft-capable ships.

Programs

Vice-president of Kaman's international programs, Mr Frank Widmann, said, "the SH-25 (A) will give the RAN what we believe to be the world's most capable and versatile maritime helicopter.

We're proud to open this new chapter in Australian naval airpower," he said.

By Graham Davis