LOOKING SPRITELY
805 Sqn and Navy Flight Trials to conduct rigorous testing

By LS Rachel Irving

The Super Seasprite hovers before the guests at the handover.

Photo: LSPH Brad Fullerton

Specifications Length: 16m Height: 4.6m Rotor Diameter: 13.5m Max Weight: 6440 kg Max Speed: 250 kph Max Range: 830 km Max Endurance: 5 hours Max Payload: 1825 kg Standard Crew: One Pilot and one Observer Armament: One 7.62mm machine gun and two Penguin missiles, or two Mk 46 torpedoes, or two Mk 11 depth charges

The RAN has provisionally accepted the first of eleven SH-2GA Super Seasprite maritime attack helicopters that will provide a long range air - surface warfare capability to the fleet. The air-surface missiles they will carry will be the first such weapons the Navy has had in more than 20 years.

At a formal handover at HMAS Albatross (CAPT Simon Cullen), US company Kaman Aerospace International Corporation, officially delivered the first Super Seasprite to the Navy for testing, evaluation and training.

In front of an invited audience of about 200 guests and media, Mr Sal Bordonaro, vice-president of Kaman’s Helicopter Programs, presented the Seasprite’s log books to Minister for Defence Senator Robert Hill, symbolising the handover. Senator Hill said the provisional acceptance of the first of the helicopters was a significant milestone in the $1.016 billion project.

Over the next year, 805 Squadron (CMDR Peter Ashworth) based at Albatross and Navy’s Flight Trials Unit will conduct rigorous testing and trials of the Seasprite.

The aircraft will be the primary anti-surface weapon system for the Anzac class frigates. The Super Seasprite, described as the most advanced maritime helicopter in the world, carries a range of sensors and weapons unlike any other helicopter in operation.

They will provide significant capabilities with surface surveillance, anti-surface warfare and contact investigation. The Seasprites are equipped with Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), electronic surveillance and protection equipment, multi-mode radar, a cabin-mounted 7.62mm machine gun and two Penguin anti-ship missiles.

In addition, the Seasprites will be capable of anti-submarine tasking, able to deploy Mk 46 anti-submarine torpedoes and its planned replacement, the MU 90, as well as depth charges.

CN VADM Chris Ritchie said another role we can expect to see the Seasprites in is the transfer of ships’ boarding parties of at least five armed sailors, to vessels, by winching to the deck or by fast roping. “805 Squadron will be the home of the Super Seasprites,” VADM Ritchie said.

“It is one of the foundation squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm and it is the squadron that has traditionally provided the Navy with it’s maritime strike capability.
“This proud tradition will continue into the future when the Super Seasprite, armed with the Penguin missile, enters full operational service in the Anzac class frigate.
“I can only imagine how keenly the men and women of 805 SQN have been waiting and preparing for this particular day. I commend you for your dedication and your perseverance and I commend you for the stirling job you have done in establishing this project and its necessary infrastructure. Your day has come.”

At the conclusion of speeches, the crowd was treated to an impressive flying demonstration by LCDRs Chris Smallhorn and Ian Parrott. With training under way, Navy can expect to see the Super Seasprite in operational service mid 2005.

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