New Technology

[lew]

I’m not technical at all but as far as looks go the apache is one beautiful bird. But then I like helicopters and think that the black hawk is the best looking of them all...


lew

[voodoo sprout]

Blackhawk? Ewww, you dirty little boy you. What we need are some good old R4's, hang a couple of water pistols on the bottom (it can't take off if you take three, heavy things water pistols ) and you have the attack helicopter capability for the next twenty years.

[sp10122]

Or even more ridculous........take a helicopter with fuel tanks on the bottom, strap on some US made missiles from the 60's that vibrate and come off if you go faster than 100 kts. Then buy ones with wheels that you didn't even want because a contract with another country fell through and call it an anti tank weapon..........laughaable.

Oh


Lynx

[lew]

Ok found a pic of the black hawk, but i dont know how to put the pic in the post like you clever chappies so the link will have to do


http://www.michigan.gov/images/blackhaw ... 7101_7.jpg


lew

[chunky from york]

SP10122. Thanks, I stand corrected and yes I fear I dis my info from the papers, I really should know better.


But for the amount of money that has already been spent I think we can expect something better than we have,

[sp10122]

Well, where else other than the press can you find up to date info on the British Army, serving or otherwise, especially on specialisations other than your own. Unfortunately, as we all know, they get it wrong alarmingly frequently.

Unfortunately if we are going to step up to the next level of being a properly equipped modern Army it's sha**ing expensive. As I say I think kit wise the Army's always been seen as the cheap option but with the advent of Bowman and proper helicopters it's got to change.

But yes £48million per aircraft sounds a lot but for what you get it is worth it. The problem will be making sure it has the kit and armament to make it work. Remember, we didn't pay for the R & D though......unlike Typhoon..........£10 billion (and it doesn't even have a cannon). I still can't believe that figure. Or the £150 million spent devloping Bowman before it was scrapped and the contract given to a new company to start from scratch.

[Cobalt]

As for the Commanche, it used to be a good idea, but I think it's taken so long to do anything with it the stealth capability is of negligable value now, let alone in the future. If it does come into service it will be little more than down-gunned Apache.

Isn't the Commanche just a recce chopper though?

[rabby]

It's latest role is as a scout type chopper that relays enemy positions to Apache's. However the Commanche does have missiles and stuff (how technical am I ), but it is mainly for hiding from the enemy and telling everyone else what it sees. For that you might as well have a sniper or special forces in the area, rather than a noisy helicopter.

[voodoo sprout]

The idea behind the Commanche was that it would be primarily a low observable scout as you mentioned, also tasked with penetrating enemy territory to make surprise attacks against key targets, much like stealth bombers but at ground level (or there abouts). Thing is, very soon indeed against the most threatening enemies, it won't be much less observable than the Apache anyway which has roughly the same capabilities, but with more weapons and armour with which to defend itself if needs be.
While it will be good, I expect it would be more maneuverable and probably with a low infrared signature compared with attack helicopters, I'm not convinced it would be a good compromise particularly taking into account price.

[4z5]

While it will be good, I expect it would be more maneuverable

When you already have the Apache, how much more maneuverability do you really need?

[Cobalt]

The Apache wasn't that well respected in Afghanistan and the latest gig in Iraq from what I hear. Kept getting beaten back by small arms fire.

[Tab]

The main problem with all the British Army kit is that every takes so long to get approved that it has become obsolete years before it is issued.