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  • Air Corps eyes up Blackhawk copters

    "Air Corps eyes up Blackhawk copters" - Don Lavery

    The famous US-built Blackhawk helicopter - featured in TV reports from Iraq and star of a Hollywood blockbuster - may yet serve in Ireland if a row over buying new helicopters can be resolved.
    Nearly four months after Defence Minister Michael Smith revealed a new fleet of light utility helicopters are to be bought, no tender has yet been issued.
    On December 17 last year Mr.Smith said a tender would be placed in the Official Journal of the European Community "early in the new year"
    It is understood that six helicopters will replace up to 15 Alouette, Dauphin and Gazelle helicopters.
    Mr.Smith said the choppers would be used for "surveillance, airlift, in-shore rescue, medevac, air ambulance and island relief"
    The Defense Forces is anxious that the helicopters play a stronger role in support of the Army.
    A small chopper as used by the Gardai would only be able to carry a handful of troops, but a larger one like the Blackhawk could carry at least a nine-man section of troops with their equipment.
    The Blackhawk, mentioned in the discussions, is one of the world's main troop carrying helicopters. It featured in the film "Blackhawk Down" about an incident where two of the Us helicopters were shot down in Somalia in 1993.
    Another neutral country, Austria, recently bought nine Blackhawks.

    Irish Independent
    Keep the speed up...!

  • #2
    Hmmm so at what point did any government source mention blackhawks, and why would they need H-60s to perform on island civilian tasks.
    "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

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    • #3
      Maybe we are the "government source" after all the blackhawks were discussed here.
      It was the year of fire...the year of destruction...the year we took back what was ours.
      It was the year of rebirth...the year of great sadness...the year of pain...and the year of joy.
      It was a new age...It was the end of history.
      It was the year everything changed.

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      • #4
        6 for 15???

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        • #5
          They're going to lay really long planks through the cabins so they can be carrying troops/casualties/VIPs in three counties at once; it all makes perfect sense.
          "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

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          • #6
            To be honest...

            I am not sure this is such a bad thing, really.

            Sure, I am very disappointed about the low number of airframes, but at least we are standardising on one particular airframe (in PC-9 and whatever Heli we get). We can always buy more later.

            Once we have the crew trained it will be good economics vis a vis training and logisitics.

            I think we should get the latest version of the Huey for the LUH, don't they share the same engine as the PC-9?
            Meh.

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            • #7
              The Bell 212/UH-1N uses an inverted twinpac version of the PT-6 turboprop used by the PC-9, which might nullify the compatibility argument, other than that you won't hear any arguments against the 212 from me.
              "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

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              • #8
                theyd hardly go and paint the blackhawks (please get them) red and white, would they? black would look pretty good, or a dark green.
                would they be sent on UN missions? (i know that would mean the purchase of another 4-5, a good thing at any rate)

                how about morale?greatly improved id say, as long as they arent used for brussels trips etc...
                "Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here...this is the War Room!"

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by CTU
                  Maybe we are the "government source" after all the blackhawks were discussed here.
                  I asked myself the same thing... however, I have it on good authority that it is being discussed in company more official than ours..

                  The blackhawk and its variants has become the standard Military helicopter throughout the world. It would make sense that we would follow the expertise of nations more used to operating military helis,rather than trying to embark on a drawn out selection process.

                  I mean Did the Naval service try out other designs of patrol boat before building Deirdre? We are not a nation that can afford to test drive a load of expensive military hardware before deciding on a winner,and considering the cancellations of the last few years,would the worldwide defence Industry consider us the "Tyre Kickers" or "timewasters" instead of prospective clients?


                  Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by stameen soldier
                    theyd hardly go and paint the blackhawks (please get them) red and white, would they?

                    ahem...


                    All you ever needed to know about the type click here


                    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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                    • #11
                      If the Coast Guard want J-Hawks they can buy their own us Air Corpers don't want nothing to do with long range SAR no more!

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                      • #12
                        So assuming (for peace and quiet) that we are to get this type,what type of avionics fit would be required? Are they IFR capable,or would the addition of a weather Radar be required? Does the standard model have some sort of Radar? It would seem a bit pointless having a machine incapable of operating under anything but perfect weather conditions, particularly if it to be used within this country...
                        What about those external fuel tanks?
                        Fail to prepare....prepare to FAIL!

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                        • #13
                          Rumor has it that the new blackhawks will come in a few variants
                          HH60 blackhawk for Army stuff
                          HF60 Baahawk for farm and island relief (3 crew,1 shepard and dog 12 sheep or goats)
                          HC60 MOOHAWK(SAME AS HF60 WITH 4 COWS LAYING DOWN)
                          HH NISSAN 4X4 HELI SIMULATOR(very popular with de lads)
                          Can anyone tell me where to get that stuff you guys are smokin

                          Fail to prepare....prepare to cheat,lie and rob!

                          life is tough......life is tougher when your stupid!

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                          • #14
                            So the lads in the know on franks board,who would be quick to rubbish the rumours if they were without substance,are suggesting that an announcement may be made when the Pilatus arrive later this month...

                            And remember gulls and buoys..its an election year of sorts..FF are making promises to the electorate left right and centre...


                            Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

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                            • #15
                              xxxxx
                              Last edited by Guest; 23 November 2004, 13:49.

                              "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."


                              Marcus Aurelius Roman Emperor (161 to 180 A.D.)

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