HiFraser - Choppers don't faze us - The Australian Army and Navy have ordered 36 NH90 helicopters from Australian Aerospace (a Eurocopter partnership). Trad

News » Choppers don't faze us

The Australian Army and Navy have ordered 36 NH90 helicopters from Australian Aerospace (a Eurocopter partnership). Traditionally helicopters have been moved around hangers and ships decks by men hauling on a towing arm, by tractors or on a fixed track system. The Department of Defence Project team realised there must be better ways than this and instigated a worldwide search for the best towing solution.

This is where the SSH comes in. H.I.Fraser is the Australian agent for Douglas Equipment (UK) who has designed and built the SHH (Shipborn Helicopter Handler). The SHH is a remote operated vehicle not unlike a small forklift, which locks onto the helicopters wheel to maneuver the helicopter in and out of the hangar and ships flight deck.

The strength of this new Douglas handler is in it’s flexibility and maneuverability. With no adaptors required, it can move any helicopter in the defence forces fleet whether empty or fully fuelled, over decks and in and out of tight hangar spaces. The SHH can rotate on it’s own axis and barely increases the helicopters footprint, allowing the ground support crew to do their jobs faster, easier and much safer.

Initial land-based trials at HMAS ALBATROSS (Nowra), then at Townsville RAAF Base tested that the SHH could handle all available helicopters and proved the SHH’s capacity for maneuvering. This testing was then followed by a sea trial on HMAS MANOORA from Townsville down to Sydney where the SHH’s capabilities were tested to the limit.

To say the project has been a success would be an understatement. An initial order for two SHH units is likely to be followed with an order for more next year. The SHH is also now the preferred handling system for the LHD, Australia’s next helicopter support vessels.

Our involvement? We've been present at all trials so far and have been trained by Douglas Equipment engineers to maintain and service the SHH for ongoing through-life support. Our facilities and experience with repair and overhaul of hydraulic components for the Australian Defence Force mean that the SHH will have reputable Australian based maintenance for the life of type.

The SHH compliments H.I.Fraser's growing list of ADF ground support which also includes the 36 high-pressure nitrogen portable charging units (PCU's) we've already supplied to NASPO (Navy Aviation Systems Program Office).