MRH-90 Taipan

MRH 90 'Cobra 08' prepares to take off during the First of Class Flight Trials onboard HMAS Manoora.
Type
Multi Role Helicopter
Manufacturer
Australian Aerospace (Eurocopter subsidiary)
Number in use
6 (from a pool of 46 shared with the Australian Army)
Origin
Europe (as part of the NH Industries consortium)
Length
16.13 metres
Height
5.23 metres
Weights
  • 6400 kilograms (empty)
  • 10,600 kilograms (max takeoff)
Speed 300 kilometres per hour (maximum)
Range
800 kilometres
Crew
2 pilots, 2 loadmasters
Engines 2 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turboshaft, 1,662 kW (2,230 shp) each
Performance
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 feet
  • Rate of climb: 8 metres per second

Multi Role Helicopter

The MRH-90 multi-role helicopter replaced the ADF's existing Black Hawk and Sea King helicopter fleets with increased and improved capability, ability and capacity to meet emerging requirements. 46 MRH-90 aircraft have been acquired for the Navy and Army.

The first two aircraft were accepted into service in Brisbane on 18 December 2007 in a ceremony attended by The Hon Greg Combet MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement.

The MRH-90 capability has more built-in safety features that meet or exceed the ADF's requirements and utilise the latest technology including composite materials and fly-by-wire systems that will provide more efficient maintenance.

The MRH-90 will be available for two airmobile squadrons, one special operations support squadron, and one maritime support helicopter squadron, You do not have access to view this node, able to provide airmobile and maritime support capability to the ADF from land bases as well as the Canberra Class Amphibious Assault Ships.

Aviation Support trainees practice winching operations with HMAS Adelaide's embarked MRH-90 helicopter, Poseidon 29.
Aviation Support trainees practice winching operations with HMAS Adelaide's embarked MRH-90 helicopter, Poseidon 29.
A Royal Australian Navy sailor is lowered to the casing of HMAS Collins from an MRH-90 Maritime Support Helicopter while sailing in the Bay of Bengal during AUSINDEX 2019.
A Royal Australian Navy sailor is lowered to the casing of HMAS Collins from an MRH-90 Maritime Support Helicopter while sailing in the Bay of Bengal during AUSINDEX 2019.

An MRH-90 helicopter from 808 Squadron is silhouetted against the sunset on the flight line at HMAS Albatross.