08 April 2020

RAN's MH-60R helicopters to begin first-of-class flight trials aboard LHD

by Julian Kerr

First-of-class flight trials for Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) MH-60R ‘Romeo’ maritime multirole helicopters aboard landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessel HMAS Adelaide will begin shortly, the RAN announced on 7 April.

A RAN MH-60R helicopter prepares to land onboard HMAS Adelaide as it departs Sydney for first-of-class flight trials. (Royal Australian Navy)

The trials, which will take place off the Queensland coast, will determine the safe operating limits of the Lockheed Martin-made anti-submarine- and anti-surface warfare-capable helicopters aboard the 27,500 tonne LHD in a range of sea states and wind speeds at both day and night.

They will also include aviation facilities assessments, equipment calibration, and evaluation of the interface between a particular helicopter type and class of ship.

“While MH-60R aircraft have been used on HMA ships Adelaide and [sister ship] Canberra for some time, new tests are required to determine what new safe operating limits they can achieve when working together,” said Lieutenant Commander Chris Broad of the RAN’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit.

Deliveries of 24 MH-60Rs to the RAN began in 2013 and were completed in August 2016.

Each of the RAN’s two Adelaide-class LHDs has the ability to support up to six helicopters, including the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter, the multi-role MRH-90 Taipan, the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lifter, and the MH-60R.

The type and number of helicopters carried by the LHDs are determined according to the mission.

First-of-class flight trials for Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) MH-60R ‘Romeo’ maritime multirole h...

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