Thu, Mar 06, 2008
Kaman Declines Comment On Alleged Safety Issues
When Australian Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd's new government took over after elections last November, Rudd
ordered a review of military procurement contracts. The country's
agreement to purchase 11 Navy Seasprite helicopters from US-based
Kaman Corporation apparently will be the first major cancellation
of a standing contract. It may not be the last.
The Washington Post reports the contract with Kaman, signed in
1997, was due to be completed by 2002 -- but only nine helicopters
have been delivered, flight testing of those delivered turned up
safety concerns, and the Australian navy grounded the Seasprites in
April 2006.
Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon told reporters that, while the
equivalent of $1.2 billion had already been invested, it was time
to cut losses and move on. "The project had to be canceled on
safety grounds alone," he said. "The airworthiness and crash
worthiness of the aircraft was not up to 21st century standards and
it was pretty clear the capability was not likely to be delivered
in full."
A spokesperson for Kaman declined to comment on the safety
allegations, but on Wednesday company CEO Neal Keating said Kaman
would try to work out an amicable solution with Australian
officials.
"Although we have created a highly capable aircraft for the
Royal Australian Navy and continue to fulfill our obligations to
the Commonwealth under our contract, we appreciate the thoughtful
approach and time invested by the current Government in addressing
our program and we will work with them toward arriving at a
satisfactory arrangement," he said.
Parsing that... Australia will have to negotiate its way out of
the deal.
Rudd's new government has also been critical of its
predecessor's decision to pay Boeing $4.6 billion for 24 F/A-18
Super Hornet fighters. Fitzgibbon says he's prepared to cancel that
contract, as well, pending a review next month.
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