The Navy Vol_73_No_3 Jul 2011 - Navy League of Australia

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the different types of helicopter airframes in the
ADF in order to save costs. The competing NH-
90 NFH is over 60% common to the already
acquired MRH-90 for Army.
The Seahawk ‘Romeos’ are considered
military off-the-shelf and built by Sikorsky
and Lockheed Martin and will be purchased
through the Foreign Military Sales process from
the US Navy. Meaning Australia has little to no
influence in design changes for local conditions
and integration into existing RAN systems.
Defence has signed a Letter of Agreement
for the acquisition with the United States
Government.
The first two helicopters will arrive from the US
plant in mid-2014 for testing and evaluation
with operations expected to commence in mid-
2015.
Acquisition of 24 ‘Romeos’ from the US means
that Navy will have the capacity to provide at
least eight warships with a combat helicopter at
the same time, including ANZAC class frigates
and the new Air Warfare Destroyers. The
remainder will be based at HMAS ALBATROSS
in Nowra, New South Wales, and will be in
various stages of regular maintenance and
training cycles.
They will be equipped with short range Hellfire
air-to-surface missiles and the Mk-54 antisubmarine
torpedo, which will be acquired as
a new weapon system for the RAN for use on
this aircraft.
The acquisition also brings a dunking sonar
back into the fleet.
04
ATTACK HELICOPTERS CONDUCT
OPERATIONS OVER LIBYA
Apache attack helicopters, flying from the
RN LPH HMS OCEAN, conducted their first
operational sorties over Libya on 3 June as part
of NATO’s Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR to
protect civilians under United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1973.
The mission was carefully co-ordinated with
other allied air missions by NATO’s air operations
centre, based at Poggio in Italy, and in particular
was planned alongside an operation by French
Gazelle and Tiger helicopters from the assault
ship TONNERRE.
Major General Nick Pope, the Chief of the
Defence Staff’s Strategic Communications
Officer, said: “The Apaches were tasked
with precision strikes against a regime radar
installation and a military checkpoint, both
located around Brega. Hellfire missiles and
30mm cannon were used to destroy the
targets; the helicopters then returned safely to
HMS OCEAN.
“In the same area, Royal Air Force ground attack
aircraft destroyed another military installation,
whilst a separate RAF mission successfully
attacked two ammunition bunkers at the large
Waddan depot in central Libya.”
The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam
Fox, said: “This was the first operational mission
flown by British Army Apaches at sea. Their
deployment from HMS OCEAN demonstrates
the flexibility of not just the aircraft, but also
the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group,
held at very high readiness for contingency
operations around the world.
“The attack helicopter is yet another potent
and formidable aircraft type which has now
been added to the NATO forces engaged on
this operation. Those who are still supporting
Colonel Gaddafi would do well to realise that the
best way to remove themselves from danger is
to understand that their future lies with the
Libyan people, not a discredited regime.”
The Commander of the Royal Navy’s Response
Force Task Group, Commodore James Kingwell,
said: “The successful and safe operations by
Apache attack helicopters required a first class
performance by the sailors, soldiers and Royal
Marines across the Royal Navy’s Response
Force Task Group [RFTG]. I am very proud of all
of their work so far which yet again underlines
the versatility of this force.
“The RFTG brings together a range of assets
that, by operating from the sea, gives maximum
flexibility to bring our military capabilities to
bear wherever they are needed, at short notice,
now and in the future. We remain ready for
further operations.”
The Apache attack helicopters are operated by
crews from 656 Squadron, 4 Regiment Army Air
Corps. OCEAN also has embarked a number of
supporting Fleet Air Arm helicopters, including
Sea King early warning aircraft.
HMS OCEAN is one of five Royal Navy ships
that have been diverted from a long-planned
exercise deployment (Cougar 11) to support the
enforcement of UNSCR 1973, demonstrating
the adaptability and flexibility of maritime
forces.
The task force, known as the Response Force
Task Group is led by HMS ALBION, which is
equipped with excellent command and control
facilities and a range of other capabilities. The
ships are escorted by the Type 23 frigate HMS
SUTHERLAND, and are supported by the Royal
Fleet Auxiliary vessels WAVE KNIGHT (carrying
fuel) and FORT ROSALIE (carrying ammunition
and stores).
The RFTG had already proved the use of the
attack helicopter in a maritime environment
during its exercises in the Mediterranean,
including the first test firing at sea by the UK of
the Apache’s advanced Hellfire missile.
04 A & B
Image A: A French Army Tiger attack helicopter at sea operating from the LHD TONNERRE.
Image B: British Army AgustaWestland/Boeing WAH-64D Apache AH.1 attack helicopters on the deck of the LPH HMS OCEAN readying for operations in Libya. (UK MoD)
4B
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