Future US Military Helicopter utilisation

[Lordinajamjar]

Here's some interesting news on the US new thinking on the utilisation and expansion of their existing helicoptor fleet.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/...0731_1039.html

[faughanballagh]

Yeah what's the deal with the OH-58, I thought the Longbow was supposed to make that obsolete.

[andy]

The Army is planning to build almost 800 new helicopters, including a new scout to replace the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, and a new utility helicopter. Attack helicopter companies are expanding from six Apaches to eight.

So is the blackhawk on the way out ?

I was never a real fan of these missions which invovled apache helis flew deep into enemy territory. Personally I think they should just operate forward of the current front line.

[ForkTailedDevil]

Ok its off topic but some observations on that ABC news article. The building of new helicopters has been on the cards for quite a while now since many of the Army helicopters are knocking on a bit, and there is very urgent needs for the upgrading of many of the NG units assests, which are frequently Vietnam era Hueys.

1. The Apache attack mentioned in the article was poorly planned but there was a change in tactics.I have metioned it before on here but US Army tactics were for Apaches to stop, hover and pick of their targets, which menat they were sitting duck.US Marine Cobras kept moving while firing and accordingly had lower casualty rates. Army switiched to Marines tactic et voila

2.The cancellation of the Commanche contract was becoming a certainty.It had lost its role on the battlefield as soon as the Cold War ended but only recent lessons in helicopter warfare have made this obvious.Congress cancelled the programme and the billions allocated to it are being redirected to new chopper aquisition.

3. Warrior retirement.It was due to be replaced by the Commanche in the recon role.The Kiowa was originally purchased to cover OH6 production shortfall during Vietnam, its simply a civil helicopter with add-ons.It isn't suitable for the battlefield role.More OH6s are being mooted for the recon role

4. New utility helicopter.Im not sure they mean a Blackhawk replacement.New build airframes is a probability, and i think ive read somewhere that there are 100 or so ordered but they still do their job well.50 new Chinooks are also on the order books.This new utility helicopter aquisition may be a Super Hawk one, to bridge the gap between the Blackhawk and Chinook.That is just a personal guess though.

[faughanballagh]

They just came out with a newer version of the Chinook, not sure what was better about it exactly (don't feel like looking it up now).

[Goldie fish]

Folding Rotors.

[ForkTailedDevil]

Nearly all the worlds Chinooks conform to the CH47D standard, the only truly differnt versions are the MH47s. I think the RAF came up with the idea of a folding rotor Chinook first so they can stow them on amphib landing ships.