Does anyone know what the current scheme of ops for the army co-op role of the heli fleet is?
It seems with our preponderance for lightly armed light helicopters we are operating along the lines of a 1950s/60s european continental airforce.
Personally I see the most acceptable heli fleet as consisting of 6 medium lift helis, EH101 is the best aircraft possible to fulfill this role in irish service, divided between army co-op squadron deployed operationally outside or within the state (mostly outside) and an SAR/ fligh training detachment. The main tactical lift and combat utility aircraft would be a dedicated battlefield utility helicopter, I favour five AB139s, four army co-op, air ambulance. Supported by 5 A109Ms which would provide escort and light utility with a sixth for flight training.
The AB139 and A109M would be deployed in packages of 3 AB139s and 2 A109ms armed with appropriate weaponry, while the EH101s would be deployed in two's with escorts provided from the A109Ms deployed with AB139s.
The economy of sourcing all aircraft from one manufacturer largely cancels out the inneficiencies of operating multiple types, which allows greater flexibilty, the inneficiency of operating multiple types is relative to the variety of roles required, operating Gazelles, AIIIs and dauphins in nearly Identical roles does not make sense, militarily or economically.
Using light heli's for light heli roles, medium lift high endurance craft for SAR and logistics, and battlefield utility craft for army co-op does.
It seems with our preponderance for lightly armed light helicopters we are operating along the lines of a 1950s/60s european continental airforce.
Personally I see the most acceptable heli fleet as consisting of 6 medium lift helis, EH101 is the best aircraft possible to fulfill this role in irish service, divided between army co-op squadron deployed operationally outside or within the state (mostly outside) and an SAR/ fligh training detachment. The main tactical lift and combat utility aircraft would be a dedicated battlefield utility helicopter, I favour five AB139s, four army co-op, air ambulance. Supported by 5 A109Ms which would provide escort and light utility with a sixth for flight training.
The AB139 and A109M would be deployed in packages of 3 AB139s and 2 A109ms armed with appropriate weaponry, while the EH101s would be deployed in two's with escorts provided from the A109Ms deployed with AB139s.
The economy of sourcing all aircraft from one manufacturer largely cancels out the inneficiencies of operating multiple types, which allows greater flexibilty, the inneficiency of operating multiple types is relative to the variety of roles required, operating Gazelles, AIIIs and dauphins in nearly Identical roles does not make sense, militarily or economically.
Using light heli's for light heli roles, medium lift high endurance craft for SAR and logistics, and battlefield utility craft for army co-op does.
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