First of the Navy's New SH-2G(I) Seasprites Made its First Flight at RNZAF Base

The first of the Royal New Zealand Navy's new SH-2G(I) Seasprites made its first flight at RNZAF Base Auckland. Whenuapai.
defense-studies

New Zealand Accepts First SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite

Kaman that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has accepted the first SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility.
Kaman and the MoD entered into a $120 million contract in May 2013 for the purchase of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. Additional aircraft are scheduled to be accepted by the MoD in the next few weeks. The first three aircraft are projected to arrive in Auckland in early 2015 with the remaining deliveries of helicopters and equipment expected to occur by the end of 2015.
The SH-2G Super Seasprite is an advanced maritime weapon system and proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Originally designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, and excellent reliability have been proven through more than 1.5 million flight hours. The SH-2G is a multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions. It is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. The SH-2G Super Seasprite is currently operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.
kaman

Peruvian Navy to acquire Super Seasprite helos from Canada

Peru has awarded General Dynamics Canada a contract to upgrade four Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters - formerly in service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) - with integrated mission systems and to overhaul a fifth prior to delivery to the Peruvian Navy.
The upgrades will offer "enhanced surveillance and search-and-rescue capabilities" by leveraging technology developed by GD Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF's) Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and search-and-rescue helicopter. The RCAF is replacing its ageing Sikorsky SH-3 Sea Kings with Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones.
The contract was signed on 9 October.
The SH-2G acquisition marks an important boost for the Peruvian Navy's embarked ASW capabilities, which currently consists of only two Sikorsky SH-3D and two AB 212ASW helicopters, all four with more than 30 years in service.
These incoming SH-2Gs had been in service with the RNZAF since 2001 before being acquired by General Dynamics Air Canada.
Meanwhile, the RNZAF Super Seasprite fleet is being replaced by eight former Australian SH-2G(I), the first of which performed its maiden flight last April.
janes

Royal New Zealand Navy new SH-2G(I) undergos test flights with Penguin missile

The new Royal Zealand Navy SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter is undergoing test-flights at Kaman fitted with one of the powerful Penguin missiles these helicopters will use.
Ten of these machines are on order to replace the existing five Seasprites.
The first should arrive late this year with all in service by 2016.
defense-studies

MBDA’s Sea Ceptor Air Defence System Selected for Royal New Zealand Navy’s ANZAC Frigate Upgrade

The New Zealand MoD has confirmed its preferred tenderers for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade project to include MBDA as the provider of Sea Ceptor for the Local Area Air Defence (LAAD) system; subject to the New Zealand (NZ) Government’s final approval to proceed. Sea Ceptor will equip frigates HMNZ Te Kaha and Te Mana with the latest generation naval air defence system capable of protecting not only the host ship but also combined joint allied forces in the vicinity.
mbda

New Zealand buys choppers rejected by Australia

The New Zealand government has approved spending $200 million on buying eight navy helicopters rejected by Australia for reasons including concerns about safety.
The eight new Super Seasprites will replace the New Zealand navy's existing fleet of five ageing Seasprites, NZ Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman said today. The first three will arrive late next year.
Australia tried for more than 10 years to resolve operations problems with Seasprites, ordered for the navy's Anzac frigates, but cancelled an order for 11 of the helicopters in 2008.

theaustralian.com

New Zealand Considers Super Seasprite Helicopters for Navy Requirement

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) is undertaking a final review of SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters that were previously rejected by the Australian government, in support of a formal bid for the aircraft.

defense-studies