MRH 90 'Cobra 08' prepares to take off during the First of Class Flight Trials onboard HMAS Manoora in November 2009. The month long testing regime gauged the MRH-90’s capabilities at sea through takeoffs, landings, munitions transfers and weight load carries. The Royal Australian Navy was scheduled to field Forty six MRH90 by mid 2010. However, by April 2011
The Australian Defence Department completed a two-month diagnostic review of the MRH-90 Multi Role Helicopter Program, addressing delays to the project. The review has recommended that at present the project should not be listed under the ‘Project of Concern’ list, but recommended the ministry to work with the contractor, Australian Aerospace, to improve the availability of the helicopters by addressing engineering and reliability issues. Progress on the project will be evaluated by a follow-on diagnostic review. The Australian MRH-90 project experienced a series of reliability issues, including engine failure, transmission oil cooler fan failures and the poor availability of spares.
An MRH 90 lands on the aft flight deck of HMAS MANOORA in lead up to the MRH 90 acceptance trials. Photo: Australian Navy
To date, 13 MRH-90 helicopters have been accepted by Defence and are currently being used for testing and initial crew training. The project has suffered delays of 12 months for the Navy’s helicopters and 18 months for the Army’s helicopters.
MRH 90 'Cobra 08' prepares to take off during the First of Class Flight Trials onboard HMAS Manoora in November 2009. The month long testing regime gauged the MRH-90’s capabilities at sea through takeoffs, landings, munitions transfers and weight load carries. The Royal Australian Navy was scheduled to field Forty six MRH90 by mid 2010. However, by April 2011 the initial 13 aircraft delivered are still undergoing testing. Photo: LAC Christopher Dickson, Royal Australian Navy.
Last week, the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) reached a significant milestone in the development of its sea-based hypersonic capability with a successful end-to-end flight test of the 'Dark Eagle' conventional hypersonic missile...
How One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWA-UAVs), often dubbed "kamikaze drones," and sophisticated loitering munitions are "democratizing" air power through low cost and agile manufacturing techniques
Driven by the INF Treaty's collapse and great power competition, the U.S. is rebuilding its theater strike capabilities. This article explores key initiatives like the Army's Typhon MRBM, PrSM upgrades, and 'Dark Eagle' hypersonic weapon. It also touches on the Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) program for ships and subs, and the Air Force's HACM. Learn how these systems aim to counter new threats and fit into evolving military concepts.
India has finalized a €7 Billion deal with France for 26 Rafale Marine fighters to bolster its naval aviation, replacing aging MiG-29Ks and enhancing power projection from INS Vikrant. While the Rafale M brings advanced capabilities and strengthens Indo-French ties, a significant challenge looms: its non-folding wings are incompatible with Indian carrier elevators, potentially hindering operational tempo. This article explores the strategic rationale, the critical wingspan issue and potential remedies, and the deal's role as an interim solution pending the indigenous TEDBF fighter.
This edition of the DefenseTech Brief covers the week of April 21-27, 2025, a period marked by significant developments across multiple defense technology domains. Key highlights include the US Army's critical decision to move...