QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Leading supplier of Defence and Civil helicopters

With more than 1100 staff in Australia and New Zealand, Australian Aerospace has access to the financial strength and expertise of Eurocopter and the EADS Group. At its production facility on Brisbane Airport, Australian Aerospace is currently assembling and delivering 46 MRH90 multi-role helicopters for the Australian Army and Navy and supporting 22 Tiger ARH armed reconnaissance helicopters for the Australian Army. More than 700 people work with Australian Aerospace in Queensland, supporting European helicopters with local expertise.

The MRH90 is the world’s most advanced multi- role helicopter. It is a twin-engine aircraft that incorporates fly-by-wire controls, along with the latest composite materials to minimise corrosion and maximise durability and survivability. The MRH90 can carry up to 20 equipped troops. With a cruise speed of up to 305 kilometres an hour and a maximum range of more than 1000 kilometres, the MRH90 offers class-leading performance and capability. Australian Aerospace is recognised as an Authorised Training Organisation. Their range of

training packages offers Australian Defence Force pilots the best training available. At the Army’s Aviation Training School in Oakey, Australian Aerospace manages advanced ARH Tiger flight simulators to complement the training experience. In addition to military helicopters, Australian Aerospace supports Eurocopter civilian and parapublic aircraft in the Australia-Pacific region.

The ARH Tiger is a two-seat, reconnaissance helicopter designed to perform a wide range of missions. Faster and more agile than its competitors, the ARH Tiger can detect and engage targets at longer ranges, and more easily coordinate and control combined arms teams. The Australian Army’s Tiger Fleet boasts sophisticated avionics and mission equipment capability, and will serve Australia for many years. Awarded in 2001, the ARH Tiger contract has created more than 220 new jobs in Australia and $40 million in investment. The flow-on effects, including more than $640 million injected into the Australian economy, strengthened Queensland’s position as an aviation hub.

The company is well positioned to deliver and support helicopters through a network of local facilities, including Redcliffe Airport. Eurocopter helicopters are internationally recognised for their innovative features, reliability, durability, safety and style. They are the reference point in the industry. The Eurocopter Group has heavily invested into innovation, even during the Global Financial Crisis. The flow-on benefits to Queensland’s aviation industry will pay dividends to pilot and passenger comfort and safety as well as operability. Local knowledge and a passionate workforce provides the focussed difference in Queensland.

Cutting-edge technology makes for more than advanced composites for components, with

long-term opportunities for local expertise. The EC135 Hermes (main background, left) and EC120 (top) are stylish examples of European technology available to and supported in Australia. Images courtesy Australian Aerospace

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