via Rotor & Wing
Bell Helicopter has been granted a $337-million modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract for the manufacture and delivery of 12 Lot 11 UH-1Y build new aircraft and 12 Lot 11 AH-1Z build new aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps to a fixed-price-incentive for the aircraft and firm-fixed-price for the auxiliary fuel kits. Work will be performed in Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2017.I've always been a fan of the Viper....less of the UH-1Y....that helicopter always seems to be in search of a mission. But back on task. Even if I ignore the need for the Ground Combat Element to get a replacement for the AAV. Even if I ignore the way the Marine Corps is slow walking the upgrades for the AAV.
I'm still left with this one urgent question.
Where does the AH-1Z and the UH-1Y fit with these SPMAGTF-Crisis Response that HQMC is pushing?
They just don't have the legs or the aerial refueling capability to be useful in their premier concept for the future.
Is it about buying aircraft to fit concepts of operations or is it simply about buying aircraft?
Nice catch. How do they fit ? To build on your theme of the way the MV22 will also be used, it's a bit odd that they dollars might not be spent on adding the original 3 barrel .50 cal nose gun back to Osprey, AND potentially adding the 3 barrel 20mm gun turret from the Viper where the current self defence MG turret is in the Osprey's "aft cargo hatch". I am cannot tell from photos if the Osprey's undercarriage gives it the required ground clearance, but there appears to be plenty of space under the broad fuselage at the front of the sponsons for maybe 4 pylons for a 7 round 70mm rocket pod - two guns, 28 rockets, some extra radar / comms jamming and operator consoles and no troops in the cabin, is that the MV22 "gunship" to escort and suppress LZ ???
ReplyDeletewell they did use that belly gun for awhile so i guess it has the under belly clearance. supposedly one of the issues had to do with it taking up space and reducing the number of Marines carried. i'm not sure if they're going for a gunship version or if this is suppose to be something to keep heads down. i've been bitching about the slow speed of the V-22 in approaching LZs when compared to the CH-46 forever.
DeleteOne thing that keeps me wondering.
ReplyDeleteWhy has the USMC not addopted a transport version of the Seahawk instead of the heavily modified UH-1Y.
Same for the AH-1Z, wouldt it be cheaper if they used some sort of Apache -lite, with minor modifications for ship bourne operations?
the answer to the Apache is no. it wouldn't be cheaper. for NAVAIR to certify an Apache to operate off a US ship would take so much redesign that it would be a new machine. better to take bits off the Apache and apply it to the Viper. as far as the seahawk i have no idea except to think that the USMC went all in on the MV-22 and they weren't going to risk some Congressman asking hey if you can use a seahawk as a UH-1Y replacement why not do the same as a MV-22 replacement. you can buy like 4 seahawks for the price of one MV-22. maybe thats an exaggeration but not by much.
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