The Shephard Group2009-03-17 10:31:08
Avalon Airshow 2009 - Lockheed pushes Pathfinder for Australian Army CH-47Ds
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has confirmed it is seeking to stage a demonstration of its Pathfinder helicopter pilotage sensor for the Australian Army.
The company is proposing the sensor as a potential upgrade option for Australia's Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters, based on operational lessons emerging from the use of that type by Australian army aviators in Afghanistan.
Joe Elmer, Lockheed's manager of international business development for rotary wing sensors and missiles, says initial discussions have been launched with the Australian Defence Force's capability development group and Army aviation regiment about a demonstration. Talks have also been held with Australian industry about teaming and support arrangements.
Speaking at the Australian international airshow 10 March, Elmer says the company is currently pursuing talks to see "whether there is any intent to try and structure some kind of demonstration of the technology to see if it would do what we claim it will do."
However Elmer acknowledges that existing operational demands on its six CH-47D fleet are limiting opportunities for a demonstration: "It is difficult for them to see their way to taking one of these aircraft out of service, as it were, to provide for a kit upgrade, to go do this sort of thing.
"We know that this is an issue and we have been talking to some local Australian defence industry that might be able to help us in that regard since there are some companies that do the depot level maintenance on this and that.
"We are looking at if we could come together and get agreement on how it would take to actually take the aircraft down, do the install and integration, and then return it to service then that might answer some of their [Australian army] concerns."
Elmer says that non disclosure agreements are near signature with Australian companies but declines to identify them.
The CH-47 integration would use an under chin mount. Elmer says this would be a "no scar" integration.
Lockheed has been marketing Pathfinder to Australia for the past two years.
"The Australian army had some [brownout] issues with their operation of the CH-47D in Afghanistan and other places so we thought lets approach the Australian army with this. There has been some enthusiasm naturally from the user so we are continuing to try and promote this product in Australia."
Lockheed demonstrated Pathfinder in the United States as a utility aircraft sensor aboard a Bell UH-1H in a company funded demonstration carried out in mid 2007 and as a medivac aircraft sensor aboard a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk in mid 2008. Elmer says that both demonstrations were observed by Australian army aviation liaison officers.
"We have had a number of [Australian] people see and actually fly on the UH-1H or get a static demonstration on the HH-60."
By Peter La Franchi, Avalon
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has confirmed it is seeking to stage a demonstration of its Pathfinder helicopter pilotage sensor for the Australian Army.
The company is proposing the sensor as a potential upgrade option for Australia's Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters, based on operational lessons emerging from the use of that type by Australian army aviators in Afghanistan.
Joe Elmer, Lockheed's manager of international business development for rotary wing sensors and missiles, says initial discussions have been launched with the Australian Defence Force's capability development group and Army aviation regiment about a demonstration. Talks have also been held with Australian industry about teaming and support arrangements.
Speaking at the Australian international airshow 10 March, Elmer says the company is currently pursuing talks to see "whether there is any intent to try and structure some kind of demonstration of the technology to see if it would do what we claim it will do."
However Elmer acknowledges that existing operational demands on its six CH-47D fleet are limiting opportunities for a demonstration: "It is difficult for them to see their way to taking one of these aircraft out of service, as it were, to provide for a kit upgrade, to go do this sort of thing.
"We know that this is an issue and we have been talking to some local Australian defence industry that might be able to help us in that regard since there are some companies that do the depot level maintenance on this and that.
"We are looking at if we could come together and get agreement on how it would take to actually take the aircraft down, do the install and integration, and then return it to service then that might answer some of their [Australian army] concerns."
Elmer says that non disclosure agreements are near signature with Australian companies but declines to identify them.
The CH-47 integration would use an under chin mount. Elmer says this would be a "no scar" integration.
Lockheed has been marketing Pathfinder to Australia for the past two years.
"The Australian army had some [brownout] issues with their operation of the CH-47D in Afghanistan and other places so we thought lets approach the Australian army with this. There has been some enthusiasm naturally from the user so we are continuing to try and promote this product in Australia."
Lockheed demonstrated Pathfinder in the United States as a utility aircraft sensor aboard a Bell UH-1H in a company funded demonstration carried out in mid 2007 and as a medivac aircraft sensor aboard a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk in mid 2008. Elmer says that both demonstrations were observed by Australian army aviation liaison officers.
"We have had a number of [Australian] people see and actually fly on the UH-1H or get a static demonstration on the HH-60."
By Peter La Franchi, Avalon
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