tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post8680580832487317977..comments2023-11-03T04:00:20.994-05:00Comments on SNAFU!: The next glutton. CH-53K.Solomonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-82066491649759006762013-11-06T04:03:29.578-06:002013-11-06T04:03:29.578-06:00Thanks for the concern, I appreciate it. It sucks...Thanks for the concern, I appreciate it. It sucks for the USMC that institutional reasons keep spending limited dollars on high tech toys instead of working with the Army to maximize savings for lift assets. If the Apache was too expensive for the USMC I don't see how they can justify the CH-53K with a straight face. SordidPandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657526230826604643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-36167821626963193932013-11-05T06:16:25.611-06:002013-11-05T06:16:25.611-06:00oh and sorry to read about the falling out between...oh and sorry to read about the falling out between you and a buddy. it sucks but it happens.Solomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-9878159002874638702013-11-05T06:15:46.183-06:002013-11-05T06:15:46.183-06:00its really a bad mixture of loyalty to the CH-53, ...its really a bad mixture of loyalty to the CH-53, wanting a service unique airplane, tradition and not wanting to follow the Army's lead.<br /><br />the problem is simple though. money ain't there. they're going to cut the pentagon to the bone before they even think about going after social programs and it seems that the leaders, the led and the public just can't wrap their heads around it.<br /><br />if the Marine Corps would simply declare that it bought all the MV-22's it needed and was going to buy UH-60's and CH-47's for the remainder of the lift requirement then the savings would be huge and other gear could be bought now. while there is a SLIM chance that we could squeak it through.<br /><br />i think its going to get alot worse financially before it gets better.Solomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-67587849008286130432013-11-05T05:37:59.649-06:002013-11-05T05:37:59.649-06:00The way I understand it, the USMC gave up the CH-4...The way I understand it, the USMC gave up the CH-46 Sea Knights to get the MV-22 Ospreys as they have about the same lift capability (medium lift helicopter). I don't see how the slightly larger CH-47 Chinook would be all that different to operate off of ships than the CH-46, considering the 47 is a foot shorter than the CH-53E Super Sea Stallion.SordidPandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657526230826604643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-87903136317781321952013-11-04T18:58:47.708-06:002013-11-04T18:58:47.708-06:00It has to do with landing gear config, refueling p...It has to do with landing gear config, refueling probes, and blade folding. Only certain LHA/D elevators can be used to move it into the hanger bays. It's not that it won't fit, it's just more complicated logistically.Charleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16497605288886434369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-22681872457962336182013-11-04T13:53:39.293-06:002013-11-04T13:53:39.293-06:00I may be wrong, but the ch-53K shows to be 99 ft l...I may be wrong, but the ch-53K shows to be 99 ft long 27 ft tall and looks to be wider than a ch-47 while the ch47 is 99 ft long about 18 ft tall and 15 ft wide. I am sure Boeing can come up with an easier folding system and do everything else they need to to make it easier to take to sea for the 100 mil per unit cost difference. Heck I bet for that 1/4 the price difference they could upgrade the engine and transmission, but why the big thing for the ch-53k i found is that it will be able to fly 110 miles with a 27,000 lb under slung payload. given the already extra range of the ch-47 I bet it could come close as it sits.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12550360767055796084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-2029021280835024012013-11-04T13:15:18.033-06:002013-11-04T13:15:18.033-06:0053 will probably end up with higher mission capabi...53 will probably end up with higher mission capability rates and significant lower cost per flying hour compared to the Osprey.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078985263856873037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-3177512748717172942013-11-04T11:55:09.195-06:002013-11-04T11:55:09.195-06:00i don't know if i trust anyone in MARSOC right...i don't know if i trust anyone in MARSOC right now. the Marine Corps doesn't have the manpower to have that unit and their is an inside push to get aviation assets over to MARSOC. it doesn't make sense. the Marine Corps is too small, it will take too big a bite out of the conventional forces and most importantly it duplicates assets already assigned in great number.Solomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-78827218151096264432013-11-04T11:47:10.280-06:002013-11-04T11:47:10.280-06:00Oddly enough, the head of MARSOC right now is an o... Oddly enough, the head of MARSOC right now is an old friend of mine from my MH-53J days, Mark "Droopy" Clark. He was an exchange pilot with the 20th SOS at Hurlburt Field when I met him, then he left to be the XO and later the CO of HMH-461 at New River. He was (and still is) a great pilot and outstanding officer, I wish they would listen to him when it comes to this aviation mess...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05939387193764825227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-75309530087658079612013-11-04T09:09:33.990-06:002013-11-04T09:09:33.990-06:00There is a need for heavy lift helos, and the 53s ...There is a need for heavy lift helos, and the 53s are the ticket. They new Ks are expensive, but then again they are a niche capability - and who knows how the Marines have tarted them up. It's too bad that C/MH-47s don't fit so well on amphibs, and the blades are a pain to fold, but they could fit on MLPs. Charleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16497605288886434369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-60211552434341348992013-11-04T04:14:46.393-06:002013-11-04T04:14:46.393-06:00the thing that kills me is that the CH-53K does ev...the thing that kills me is that the CH-53K does everything the V-22 does but better. the only thing it lacks is the V-22's speed. it lifts more, can carry more internally, can penetrate hostile airspace (or so Sikorsky claims) and doesn't have the punishing downdraft or the limitations in the landing zone.<br /><br />add it all up and fewer v-22's and a MUCH more reasonable price on the '53 would have me saying awesome....go for it! as things stand though i don't see how we can have both.Solomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-19481674009230085422013-11-04T04:11:24.932-06:002013-11-04T04:11:24.932-06:00Interesting is the program unit cost of the CH-47 ...Interesting is the program unit cost of the CH-47 is in the mid $20M each. Love the 53s too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078985263856873037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-33971398725408092422013-11-03T21:43:46.860-06:002013-11-03T21:43:46.860-06:00i've been wondering about the 120mm vs. 105mm ...i've been wondering about the 120mm vs. 105mm light weight for a long time....i know that originally the 120mm was suppose to be dragon fire. automated, high, high, high rates of fire and pretty much revolutionary. but that damn V-22 requirement crept in and cost rose so they went with a french gun instead. but besides that part of it, i've always wondered why the 120 over the 105. the 105 is longer ranged, doesn't weigh much more and fits more into the traditional arty field than the 120 does. time to research i think.. great comment...you got me considering some things.Solomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05980277484445749796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098674444128189886.post-8144051191207285962013-11-03T21:38:06.012-06:002013-11-03T21:38:06.012-06:00If they want to cout the new 782 gear we get, how ...If they want to cout the new 782 gear we get, how about all those jhmcs helmets, lightnin pods, new gbu bombs, and such? Dont really see tthe comparison.<br /><br />Btw alot of people myself included think the 120mm mortars should be a infantry regiment asset not a arty one. Give us some army 105 if you want something more expeditionary. johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825754242863806471noreply@blogger.com