Helicopters

[thebig C]

new Indian Army light helicopter?

Although it doesn't appear to have been officially confirmed yet, reports earlier this month indicate that the Eurocopter AS550C3 Fennec has beaten the Bell 407 in the Indian Army's light helicopter competition. The deal is for 197 helicopters, costing just over €400 million, or approx. €2 million each.

The Fennec - the military version of the Ecureuil or Squirrel - is capable of day and night military operations and covers a mission spectrum from attack, antitank, reconnaissance and observation, to training, cargo, sling transport, medical evacuation, and SAR.

[Goldie fish]

The dauphins are retiring. They are no longer useful. It would cost €1.5m each to make them useful. Not worth it for a 20 year old aircraft.

[Bam Bam]

Maybe they should keep the dauphin's and use them for MATS that would free up all 6 new heli's

[Goldie fish]

The dauphins should be retired around the same time the EC135P2s arrive,so presumably,it being the newest and shinyest,this is what will be used...Hopefully they'll get comfy with them and leave the AB139s for proper military flying...

[Steamy Window]

A Dauphin dropped Mary McAleese off at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday for the Munster Hurling Final. As they are soon up for retirement, which chopper will do the job before the new ones arrive, or will there be no gap between the retirements and the new choppers arrive?

[Goldie fish]

we have rules here....

[FMolloy]

Nope, so it goes bye bye.

[Goldie fish]

Does this have anything to do with the air corps?

[B Inman]

Interesting thread on Military photos.net about the Alouette 111.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=50751

[lordinajamjar]

As si the case with a lot of twin engined underpowered aircraft the purpose of the second engine is to make sure you arrive at the crash site!

Well at least you are guaranteed to arrive late.

[JAG]

A LOT of helicopters ... Puma HC.1 (in service with RAF since 1971) which carries up to 16 fully equipped troops (20 in CEFO) requires 34 lifts to move a infantry battalion of around 625 troops. Thats 2 SERVICABLE Pumas requiring 16 return journies.

Odds on the army buying 40-50 odd troop carrying/heavy lifters to move a light infantry battalion?

About equal to the odds on the Air Corps being transformed into an Air Force?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
To clarify: the USCG were obliged by political pressure to fit the locally-made Lycoming engines to the Dauphin. It was not a suitable fit, to say the least. A combination of politicians and "not invented here" syndrome. Also, in the past, the Air Corps/DoD believed every word the manufacturer or their agents said and were inveigled into rigid, expensive sale/maintenance contracts that have been found, over time, to be too expensive. Thankfully, they're a bit more cynical and less naive and more inclined to argue the toss. I hope...
regards
GttC

[hptmurphy]

As si the case with a lot of twin engined underpowered aircraft the purpose of the second engine is to make sure you arrive at the crash site!

[Goldie fish]

Disagree.

Reliability problems where due to equipment overload and safety certification with GS, in relation to the AC's single type. (see thread)

Islanders work well for very diverse range of roles, just ask those in the Western Isles, or off the Irish west coast.

Dash4/8 is a better aircraft, but more expensive.
What others twin engined types are light enough to furfil the role?

The story of the defender "problems" can be found here

[Goldie fish]

would having this capability affect ability to carry usual number of troops ,equipment etc. BTW spot the non-soldier amongst you!

Yes. All aircraft are limited by gravity. Also known as the maximum take off weight or MTOW. For every bit of extra kit,be it weapon or sensor you put in,something else must come out,be it troops,or in the case of D248, fuel.

This mistake already cost the lives of 4 good men. I doubt it'll happen again,hence we'll get aircraft fitted with equipment required to do their designed task.

We are not looking for an attack heli just yet.