Guys, any comment on the feasibility of AOP ops from helicopters, i.e the calling of and adjustment of artillery fire from an air based observation post? With the inclusion of FLIR and SINCGARS, this could be a useful exercise to perform for both the artillery and pilots alike, IMO. The 135 for example is an ideal platform for this, somewhat lacking in the tech issues such as laser range finders and a roof mounted sight, but with a decent set of binos and proper training, I can see no reason why this cannot be achieved...
It could result in a significant increase in flexibility for commanders and artillery CPs to have a fast, mobile asset such as an aircraft to observe terrain that would otherwise require an extended insertion of a covert standard OP. It could also be extended to other platforms such as 139, PC9 and cessna as has proved useful in historical contexts. In fact, why not extent it to Casa for naval gunfire support? Methinks that the G4 boys may crib if asked to do the same task though...
The natural progression from this is to include training for Airborne Forward Air Controllers to eventually have a complete coverage of fire support from a mobile platform.
Obviously, this is being aimed at an air corps context, as the theory is already practised elsewhere, but to support the full spectrum of missions overseas, considering our limited assets, a couple of 135s may increase their usefulness to the commander if they can do more than just shift 5 troops at a time and to have the flexibility to run out of ammo on a PC9 or encounter a target that is more appropriate to artillery and then adjust that fire as required would be a big advantage.
Not waltering here. Just a realistic discussion topic.
It could result in a significant increase in flexibility for commanders and artillery CPs to have a fast, mobile asset such as an aircraft to observe terrain that would otherwise require an extended insertion of a covert standard OP. It could also be extended to other platforms such as 139, PC9 and cessna as has proved useful in historical contexts. In fact, why not extent it to Casa for naval gunfire support? Methinks that the G4 boys may crib if asked to do the same task though...
The natural progression from this is to include training for Airborne Forward Air Controllers to eventually have a complete coverage of fire support from a mobile platform.
Obviously, this is being aimed at an air corps context, as the theory is already practised elsewhere, but to support the full spectrum of missions overseas, considering our limited assets, a couple of 135s may increase their usefulness to the commander if they can do more than just shift 5 troops at a time and to have the flexibility to run out of ammo on a PC9 or encounter a target that is more appropriate to artillery and then adjust that fire as required would be a big advantage.
Not waltering here. Just a realistic discussion topic.
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