Helicopter Aramament

[thebig C]

Word of warning for AW139 door-gunners:

The Italian government has recently announced that AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta attack helicopters will be deployed to Afghanistan to boost Italian forces already there. Mangustas had earlier been sent to Iraq after an Italian helicopter gunner was killed by ground fire as he flew in an AB412 over Nassiryah in southern Iraq.

[Barry]

Word of warning for AW139 door-gunners:

The Italian government has recently announced that AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta attack helicopters will be deployed to Afghanistan to boost Italian forces already there. Mangustas had earlier been sent to Iraq after an Italian helicopter gunner was killed by ground fire as he flew in an AB412 over Nassiryah in southern Iraq.

You heard him lads, if any of the Air Corps door gunners happen to find yourself flying over Afghanistan, be careful, someone might shoot at you.

Carrington, what would we do without you?

[thebig C]

You heard him lads, if any of the Air Corps door gunners happen to find yourself flying over Afghanistan, be careful, someone might shoot at you.

Carrington, what would we do without you?

No gratitude needed, glad to be of help.... But since the Air Corps doesn't deploy overseas, there's probably no need to worry.

But the Italian experience does suggest that if tactical troop transport helicopters are to be used in a combat environment, they may need armour and/or armed escorts. This of course is a lesson that was also learned the hard way in Vietnam.

[The real Jack]

But the Italian experience does suggest that if tactical troop transport helicopters are to be used in a combat environment, they may need armour and/or armed escorts. This of course is a lesson that was also learned the hard way in Vietnam.

So you suggest infantry support the Heli's? Then who supports the Infantry?

[thebig C]

So you suggest infantry support the Heli's? Then who supports the Infantry?

No, I was suggesting putting armour on the helicopters, and/or providing armed escort helicopters. Some of the earlier posts about the fitting of door guns to the AW139s seemed to get a little over-excited and disconnected from reality.

[tonyrdf]

But the Italian experience does suggest that if tactical troop transport helicopters are to be used in a combat environment, they may need armour and/or armed escorts. This of course is a lesson that was also learned the hard way in Vietnam.

The AC arent going to be splashing out on an attack heli anytime soon,
nor will they deploy assets to anywhere that they might get shot at.........except maybe Limerick

[Jetjock]

Lets not forget that the original tender for the UH contract included the request for options for the ability of the aircraft to be able to deliver a "range" of unguided fire support weapons. The AB139 was initially marketed with stub wing mounted podded weapons including cannon and rockets and I'm sure our birds are capable of being modified with said items if there was a requirement. Before we get there, the Air Corps need to instigate a mind-set within the Army where Air Corps participation is considered a valuable asset. To do this, the advantages of an "Air Mobile" element within a broader tactical doctrine needs to be demonstrated by a willingness to make aircraft available to any Army training operation, that will bring the Defence Force policy makers to the thinking that an airborne element is indispensable to any future operation, be it at home or overseas. This is the first time in Air Corps history that the equipment is available to demonstrate their potential as a valid component of an integrated military capability. Let's hope that when the aircraft have "worked up" sufficiently and are fully operational that this opportunity is grasped and the force multiplication offered by such a capability is recognised, just as it has been by any serious military force for the last 40 years. Hopefully such thinking will bring an end to "token" 100 here, 200 there overseas deployments and in the future we will see fully integrated all-services deployments where the Irish Defence Forces take a lead role.

[thebig C]

The AC arent going to be splashing out on an attack heli anytime soon,
nor will they deploy assets to anywhere that they might get shot at.........except maybe Limerick

You're probably right, but if that's the case, what's the point of door-gunners?

[thebig C]

armed helicopters

The AC arent going to be splashing out on an attack heli anytime soon,
nor will they deploy assets to anywhere that they might get shot at.........except maybe Limerick

Just to clarify, when I mentioned armed escort helicopters, I was thinking more of something like this



or this





not so much this



or even this!

[Scorpy]

There are lots of people getting excited about the 139. A little bit of temperence and patience would be well served by all. It will come. (RUNNING FOR COVER)!

[Jetjock]

Dear Scorpy,
Reading back through the previous posts I cant say I see much impatience and over excitement.The only miracles I see someone expecting on this page are the photo of the Longbow, or Denmark expecting someone to be scared of a Fennec "gun ship" .Before you get to your cover there what in God's name will come?? Are there prizes for guessing?? Expand on your statement a little bit.Enlighten us.:confused:

Yours in anticipation!

JJ

[Turkey]

Err, when Scorpy posts I read carefully.
When the Fennec fan posts I either laugh, or search for Valium.


carpark, we do not need another Air Corps, we have one, it just needs the right investment and support, it certainly does not require any guidance from a Yank hating, left-wing, uncivil servant with the IQ of a door knob.

[tonyrdf]

You're probably right, but if that's the case, what's the point of door-gunners?

Good question. Id have to say, so that recruitment videos would look more Gucci.

[The real Jack]

You're probably right, but if that's the case, what's the point of door-gunners?

To provide a limited amount of covering fire for the section getting in or out. They would also provide a small self defence capability versus people on the groung with RPG's etc.

[ZULU]

Better fit them to the 172s aswell. I've heard they get shot at alot by RPGs!!