NH90 ASW - RSN best option????

HARIMAU SG

All of us are aware that by 2007 RSN shall received their first of six ultra modern FFG.A lot has been said abt the frigate capabilities yet not much on the ships ASW helicopter.

A lot of candidate mite wants to win the lucrative contract and one of them is the modern NH90 ASW.I personally believes that an ultra modern FFG should be equipped with the same league of helicopter.I'm not saying the Cougar or Seahawk aint good...just that the NH90 is the better bet.What do you think???? Rolling Eyes

Col looking ASW helo Razz

Laplace SG

'Tis a sexy looking bird. 'Tis true. Mr. Green

CenturionMBT SG

Well, NH 90 is good. But it is the most expensive of the whole lot.

Fairyland SG

NH-90.....HMMM Cool

If money is no object then yes.

If economy class then Cougar.

In between then MH70S. Mr. Green

Then we get freebie S92 upgrade???

I really looking forward to the outcome.....next month?

Viking1 SG

NH90 is by far the best of the lot.

spencer99 SG

I think Sgp will probably go for the most capable platform. We had already spent so much on the frigates, why "save" for the heli and get a "economical" platform.

I wonder whose budget is the heli coming from? Navy or Air Force? And which service has the most say?

Blue Dolphin SG

RSN should just buy good enough heli to meet the threat. No need to spend money on super system. Better to get baseline version with potential for modula upgrade. Better to spend the money on education and economic building measures.
Anyway, the regional submarine threat is not "formidable".
Ha! Maybe DSO or DSTA can apply stealth upgrade to a cheap model and call it XXX-S(for singapore upgraded).

Paladin SG

Any heli with stealth technology also?

Stealth frigate should goes with a stealth heli mah.. Very Happy

wd1 SG

regarding stealth helos there is the RAH-66 Comanche… its RCS and IR signature are small fractions of what present day choppers have, but then again it aint an ASW chopper and US wont even have it in service until 2009

alwaysdisturbed SG

dats so cool...had a heli game in 1993 n it has the comanche in it n tot there's already such a heli but realised its still nt in service nw...

Moonstriker SG

RAH-66 can't carry much payload if it wans to maintain stealth.
unless US comes up with stealth missiles as well.

damienthedevil SG

Most probably it will be the new Eurocopter Cougars ( Navalised Version) with uprated engines, bigger space, foldable blades, floats, crystal screen displays etc… ST will incorporate the Helis with off-the-shelve solution for ASW and ASM systems. This Helis are in the fore-run for acquisition due to the familiarity of the SAF with the Super Pumas and Cougars.

eurofighter SG

As the air force may also procure simillar choppers to replace the Hueys, it will not be wise to rely totally on the Super Puma/Cougar on the medium lift role. I think the NH-90 is indeed a better choice of the 3 options. It comes with the newest tech plus equipment. For the medium lift role, it has a rear loading/unloading ramp which will defintely aid in ops.
There was this article on this competition in a magazine saying that the NH-90 is the best option but it didn't state why though.

Arena SG

think e budget would be from rsn...
heard tt rsn now r looking for helo pilots... think for the asw helo of e new frigates... its true...

Paladin SG

And also a new insignia for the navy's new aviation arm? Mr. Green

Laplace SG

If the new helicopters are to be manned by RSN personnel, then it would mark a new beginning in the RSN's continued growth wouldn't it. Smile

But I think for basic helicopter training, the RSN crews would be trained by the RSAF. But for advanced ASW and landing/takeoff in rough seas, the trainees would have to be trained by other navies with proven maritime rotary-wing capabilities.

Joe Black SG

Can't see RSN having its own "Air Force". I don't think that many armed forces outside the US, Russia, China, UK and France have the capability to have more than 1 "Air Force".

US alone has 4, including USAF, US Navy (jets and helos on carriers), Army's aviators (basically helo pilots and some transport planes), and US Marines (Bugs, mainly flying from US Navy carriers) and LHDs(Harriers and helos).

Anyway, back to RSN, I believe the model they will take is similar to the MPA arrangement. They will "borrow" helo pilots from RSAF (probably even take up their payroll), the pilots are likely to be seconded to the Navy, etc. (Just my guess).

cavsg SG

the naval helo will be operated by 120 sqn when the uh is phased out. the air and ground crew will stay on board the frigrates for up to 2 weeks. that was the plan i heard more than 1 year ago but i dun know what’s the plan now.

Fairyland SG

I echo Viper's sentiment on the UH1-H......seems all the machines I'm used to seeing in the air are disappearing very fast. Crying or Very sad

Will be interesting to see if 120 Sqn can work on board a ship?

Precursor to the LPH? Laughing