Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/901315
buy helicopter capable to carry suspended 1850 liters water bucket for firefighting purposes, up to nine pax (pararescures or firefighters). Estimated price including crews training and maintenance services is around 20M US dollars per helicopter. First S-70i's will be delivered in 2018. Three days earlier, StarFlight Australia announced contract for delivery, modernization and use of Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters for rescue and medical operations in Australia and outside of country. The contract was signed between Kaan Air Australia and Sikorsky Helicopters – 10 UH-60A from US military over stock will be delivered. Helicopters will be upgraded and rebuild in Sikorsky Helitech of Brisbane. Upgrades include T700-GE-701D engines, new avionics and modernized drive-train. Later, the company will be responsible for maintenance. Deliveries will start in 2018 and modernization process will take approx. 100 days for each helicopter. There is also an option for another ten UH-60A. Helicopters will be used in rescue, firefighting and humanitarian aid operations. They will be based in Australia, but could be leased to other countries if needed. Currently, two ways of firefighting are considered: under-belly water tank or suspended water bucket. The StarFlight Australia company currently use few types of helicopters: Leonardo AW119 and AW139, Bell 412, BK 117 and Kamov Ka-32 for rescue, SAR, firefighting, transport and law enforcement support missions. Above success can lead to another in future. The growing number of companies purchasing demilitarized US DOD UH- 60A Black Hawk and converting them for civilian sales is just a confirmation. Some estimate that in future years about 300 ex-US DOD Black Hawks may appear in the markets and will be available for purchase by conversion companies or law enforcement agencies in multiple countries. Ten ex-US military UH-60A Black Hawks will be delivered to Australian company responsible for rescue and firefighting operations. Photo: US Army AVIATION