Navy takes Romeo for a test run

A new combat helicopter with the ability to hunt submarines has given the navy combat power not previously available to Australia.

It's nicknamed Romeo but this new navy helicopter is a fighter not a lover.

Australia has spent $3.2 billion on 24 of the submarine-hunting MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" combat choppers.

And this week a Royal Australian Navy crew put one through its paces, firing an air-to-surface Hellfire missile during a training exercise in the United States.

Footage of the firing off the Florida coastline shows the sleek and pale-grey piece of kit barely flinch as it launches the high-powered weapon from its side.

The navy has never had the capability to launch a Hellfire, which can be used to attack enemy ships.

Romeos are also equipped with a dunking sonar - lowered into the ocean - allowing submarine-hunting missions.

The helicopter's technology represents a "quantum leap" for current naval capability and will boost "potency as a high-end fighting force", a defence spokesman said.

Australia has so far taken delivery of four Romeos with others being rolled out until 2016.

Two of the aircraft will be based at the navy's NSW south coast base at Nowra while others will be used on Anzac class frigates and new Hobart class destroyers.


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