Aussie military defends new helicopters

The Australian Defence Force says the new transport helicopters it is buying have
excellent potential despite a German report outlining a range of defects.
A defence spokesman said Australia was seeking an English translation of the German
Army trial report on its NH-90 helicopters.
He said all matters of operational effectiveness and airworthiness were taken
seriously and the German report would be reviewed in detail.
"Australia is working with other nations and industry to address any issues arising
as the NH-90 is introduced into service," he said.
"The aircraft, which has excellent potential, is relatively early in its
developmental cycle. It is essential that any issues are identified and
appropriately rectified so that the full combat potential of the aircraft can be
realised."
Australia is acquiring 46 of these helicopters to replace Army Black Hawk and
Iroquois helicopters and Navy Sea Kings through a deal worth $3.3 billion.
In Australian service, the NH-90 will be known as the MRH-90 for multi-role helicopter.
This is a European design, manufactured by NH Industries, a joint venture of
Eurocopter, Agusta and Fokker. Of the Australian helicopters, four were manufactured
in Europe with the rest to be assembled in Brisbane by Eurocopter subsidiary
Australian Aerospace.
The German military is the largest single customer, buying 152.
But a 103-page internal military report, leaked to German daily newspaper Bild last
week, pointed to many shortcomings and even recommended using alternative aircraft
in operational scenarios.
The problems include limited clearance so that soldiers have trouble getting in and
out, a rear ramp too weak to support fully equipped soldiers, seats unable to
accommodate soldiers weighing more than 110 kilograms and limited interior space,
which means there's no room for a door gunner.