First
of class flight trials for Super Seasprite
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The
Navy’s latest acquisition, a Super Seasprite named
Cobra 840 getting comfortable in its new surrounds on the
flight deck of HMAS Warramunga at Fleet Base East.
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| The
Super Seasprite after it completed its first of class flight
trial from HMAS Albatross to Fleet Base East. Photos: ABPH
Yuri Ramsey |
By
Graham Davis
LCDR Craig Mathews landed a first for the Navy earlier this month
when he gently guided an Australian Super Seasprite helicopter
on to the flight deck of HMAS Warramunga (CMDR John Vandyke).
“She’s looking good,” LCDR Mathews said.
The chief test pilot and officer in charge of the Aviation Maintenance
and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) had just completed a 50-minute
flight from HMAS Albatross to Fleet Base East on November 5.
With him were executive officer of No. 805 Squadron LCDR Ian Parrott,
flight engineer LEUT Mike Hardie and qualified observer LCDR Rick
Allen.
The landing was part of the continuing trials for the Navy’s
latest acquisition.
LCDR Mathews has already clocked 100 hours at the controls of
the Seasprite.
The RAN has purchased 11 of the Kaman-built helicopters. Ten are
in Australia, the 11th remains in the US to be fitted with its
anti-surface warfare electronics.
The first aircraft was provisionally accepted by Defence in a
ceremony in Nowra on October 18.
Once the helicopters are fully equipped they will provide the
primary anti-surface weapon system for the RAN’s eight Anzac
frigates, with up to six aircraft deployed at sea at any one time.
The Anzacs currently carry Seahawks.
The Seasprites will be equipped with a sophisticated suite of
sensors and weapons including the capability to fire the Penguin
anti-ship missile and to deliver the Mk46 anti-submarine warfare
torpedo.
The November 5 landing on Warramunga was watched by a knot of
dockworkers, media and the ship’s company.
