The press is really excited about this helicopter deal - there's lots of news copy churning out. Here's some more
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,3751877a6502,00.html
Ohakea eager for new choppers 02 August 2006
By HELEN HARVEY
RNZAF Base Ohakea is gearing up for the arrival of eight state-of-the-art NH90 helicopters.
"It's a huge challenge, but a positive challenge," Ohakea boss Wing Commander Johan Bosch said.
The Government announced this week that it has bought eight European-made NH90 helicopters for $771 million. The NH90s will replace the Air Force's 14 Iroquois which are 40 years old.
The new choppers are due to arrive in 2010 and will be fully operational in 2013.
The purchase is exciting, not only for 3 Squadron, which will fly the choppers, but for the wider Air Force, he said.
"It's a quantum leap in technology . . . It will be a significant learning curve for us."
Wg Cdr Bosch said the transition period will be the hard part, because there will be a period of time where both the Iroquois and the NH90s will be flying, "which will be hard for the guys still flying Iroquois".
Wg Cdr Bosch said having six fewer helicopters will not be a problem, as the NH90s are more capable than the Iroquois and the NH90s will need less maintenance.
The Iroquois can carry five fully laden troops while the NH90 can carry 12. The maximum seating in an Iroquois is six to eight, -while the NH90s can carry 19. And the NH90 has a much higher load capacity - the Iroquois can lift 800kg while the NH90s can lift 2000kg over the same range.
Air Force personnel are looking forward to getting the increased level of capability, Wg Cdr Bosch said.
Maintenance and flying personnel will go overseas for training, maybe as early as next year, he said.
NH90 is a Ministry of Defence project, but it has some Air Force personnel on team.
"They are responsible until the helicopters are delivered to the RNZAF."
Introduction into Service teams are being set up to look at all aspects of the technology, but are also looking at training, he said.
"The systems are significantly more modern."
Ohakea will need new hangars to house the new choppers, but the building of the new hangars will be looked at as part of project Takatini, which is working toward bringing the Auckland base down to Ohakea.
"The NH90 is not significantly bigger, but it has four blades. The Iroquois have only two, so they can be lined up next to each other, whereas the NH90s can't."
The new choppers will improve the way the Air Force is able to support agencies such as the police, Customs and maritime search and rescue, he said
