Kaman Down Under

Singapore -- The Royal New Zealand Navy will begin bring twin-engined SH-2G(NZ) Super Seasprite helicopters into frigate service later this year, builder Kaman Aerospace reports, as the US company begins flight trials of the SH-2G(A) for the Royal Australian Navy.

The RNZN will gain "over-the-horizon" surveillance capability as its new Super Seaprites will enable detection of targets more than 80 nautical miles distant, compared with about 15 miles from the frigate's own radar.

The RNZN ordered four new SH-2G(NZ) helicopters in 1997 for delivery this year. This past July it ordered a fifth, with delivery date to be determined. The RNZN is currently operating SH-2F Seasprites "as a bridge," Kaman says, between its Wasp helicopters and the Super Seasprites to come.

"Even the SH-2F is a quantum leap in capability compared to the older Westland Wasps, and it's getting us ready for the jump to the SH-2G," said New Zealand naval Flight Commander Lt. Cmdr. John Toon.

"There would be a huge break in experience levels if we stopped operating between decommissioning the Wasps and accepting the SH-2Gs," he said.

New Zealand's five SH-2G(NZ)s will be equipped with Telephonics APS-143(V)3 radar, FLIR Systems AAQ-22 thermal imagers, and Litton Amacon LR-100 electronic support measures. The analog cockpit is based on Litton's ASN-150 tactical navigation system.

The British-built, single-engined Wasps being replaced by the new Super Seaprites flew from 1966 to 1998.
The RAN has meanwhile ordered 11 multimission Super Seasprites, the first of which is in trial at Kaman headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

The Super Seasprites for the RAN will feature an Integrated Tactical Avionics System from Litton Guidance and control Systems. "The high level of automation provided by the onboard computer systems and advanced avionics," says Kaman, "will allow a two-person crew successfully to perform SH-2G(A) missions of the during day, night and adverse weather conditions and provide effective sea control over a large area."

The SH-2G(A)s will be fitted with advanced technology composite main rotor blades, Kaman says, and a digital Automatic Flight Control System integrated with a pair of redundant Litton LN100 embedded GPS inertial units. Like the Super Seaprites for neighboring New Zealand, the Australian helicopters will be frigate-based. Deliveries begin early next year.