Australian Army Had Grounded the Fleet After Fumes Were Detected In The Helo's Cockpits

The Australian Army’s fleet of Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) has returned to regular training activities following the lifting of a temporary suspension that was put in place on May 16th. The suspension was put in place following the detection of fumes in the cockpit of the aircraft.

The Army Operational Airworthiness Authority lifted the suspension following a detailed assessment and a recommendation from the Technical Airworthiness Authority to resume flying operations.

There are 22 ARH in the Australian Army’s Oakey and Darwin based fleet, 19 of which are in the fully capable configuration operating in the fleet.The remaining three aircraft are completing a retrofit program and should return to the fleet later in the year. Army’s Tiger fleet is not yet in full operational service. The ARH will soon deploy on Army’s largest annual foundation warfighting exercise. Exercise Hamel will be conducted in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area over three weeks from June 21st. (Image provided by Eurocopter)

FMI: www.defence.gov.au