A-10 to the Ukrainians? Recent comments by the Air Force secretary suggest a way out for the USAF from A-10 ownership

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Okay, okay, my mistake. I wrote "heli-borne assault" when that was not what I really meant. Can one think of OD helicopters and not replay Apocalypse Now in one's mind? What I meant was; if we happen to have a whole lot of CH-47s, wouldn't it be more useful (and in greater number) than the Soviet stuff. With the Dnipro River bridges out, helicopter airlift is needed.
I did imply using them as the tip of spear. Oops.

They could definitely be useful. Like I said the "Shithook" as we Hawk guys called them is an excellent helicopter.

The German's just placed an order for the latest Chinook variant. I have to admit, she looks good with those crosses on their fuselages.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I was thinking more in terms of using them where the orcs ain't. They gotta' be better than what Ukraine is using now. There's got to be a lot of them with plenty to spare. They've been around since the War of 1812.
If the Chinooks are escorted by A-10s, however, I think we'll have something.

Insertions like that could work, but I'd not want to have A-10s weaving nearby and drawing attention. But yes, going where they ain't would have to be the thing. You don't want to go where they are in that battlefield, flying low and slow.

 

[SaparotRob]

I was joking about the Warthog.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I was joking about the Warthog.

Wait, you're expecting me to keep up? WTF, over?

 

[GrauGeist]

Unless, the A-10 was loitering nearby, hoping and praying someone would be stupid and try and tag a helo.

When that happens, you know they'll be down on the bad guys like a sack full of hammers.

 

[Dimlee]

Unless, of course the Ukrainian Navy has been hiding a huge riverine assault task force.

Not huge, but most of the river fleet was at bases in Zaporizhye and further north on the first day of the invasion. Can it be effective without air superiority... I'm not sure.

 

[SaparotRob]

Not huge, but most of the river fleet was at bases in Zaporizhye and further north on the first day of the invasion. Can it be effective without air superiority... I'm not sure.

I wasn't expecting good news from my dumb joke. That is something I wasn't expecting. Of course without heavy duty support, it is extremely vulnerable. However, having riverine capability is certainly good news.

 

[Admiral Beez]

They gotta' be better than what Ukraine is using now.

I suppose I'm influenced by Red Dawn, but I'm a big fan of the Hind attack 'copter. Can the ex-WP states scrounge up any?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I suppose I'm influenced by Red Dawn, but I'm a big fan of the Hind attack 'copter. Can the ex-WP states scrounge up any?

View attachment 684177

I cannot speak for any country other than Russia, but we were banned from flying in tjr Russian Hind's in Kosovo because they were so poorly maintained.

When flying, they were neat to see though.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

There are a few civilian owned, flying in the US, of course unarmed.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Is there any Western attack helicopter besides the Apache and Cobra/Viper that would be useful for Ukraine? I've not read good things on the survivability of the Agusta Mangusta. What of the Eurocopter Tiger?

 

[SaparotRob]

There are a few civilian owned, flying in the US, of course unarmed.

 

[Denniss]

civilian hinds could be re-armed or used for spare parts

 

[Dimlee]

I wasn't expecting good news from my dumb joke. That is something I wasn't expecting. Of course without heavy duty support, it is extremely vulnerable. However, having riverine capability is certainly good news.

It's good that you reminded about the possibility. Internal waterways are rarely discussed during this war.
At least, that fleet can be used for moving overweight/sized equipment. Also to increase the degree of redundancy overall, as bridges are so vulnerable.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

civilian hinds could be re-armed or used for spare parts

Providing the civilian owners want to give up their aircraft. I've seen a Hind in Texas several years ago and it was really stripped down and "very demilitarized." Additionally many of the desirable parts are life-limited and you'll find many of these aircraft have components, although airworthy, are almost timed out. Depending what parts you're talking about, it's better to build or acquire "new" rather than cannibilize, especially when it comes to rotor wing aircraft.

 

[Ovod]

Is there any Western attack helicopter besides the Apache and Cobra/Viper that would be useful for Ukraine? I've not read good things on the survivability of the Agusta Mangusta. What of the Eurocopter Tiger?

How about the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior? Strictly speaking not an attack helicopter as such. but could be used as one , and has been used as one before. I believe it has been recently retired from US Army service - could be a lot of airframes still in storage?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

How about the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior? Strictly speaking not an attack helicopter as such. but could be used as one , and has been used as one before. I believe it has been recently retired from US Army service - could be a lot of airframes still in storage?

I was going to suggest the same. This is an old photo but a pretty robust bird.

photos from the internet

 

[special ed]

Providing the civilian owners want to give up their aircraft. I've seen a Hind in Texas several years ago and it was really stripped down and "very demilitarized." Additionally many of the desirable parts are life-limited and you'll find many of these aircraft have components, although airworthy, are almost timed out. Depending what parts you're talking about, it's better to build or acquire "new" rather than cannibilize, especially when it comes to rotor wing aircraft.

There was a squadron of Hinds in Alexandria, La about 20-25 years ago (U.S. Army) used for OPFOR training.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

There was a squadron of Hinds in Alexandria, La about 20-25 years ago (U.S. Army) used for OPFOR training.

Yep - IIRC I think those eventually went to Afghanistan.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Another option is bringing up the old guard and using UH-1s. They are plentiful, easy to work on, plenty of spares and well proven. On the down side, they are slow (compared to newer birds) and would need heat suppression kits for the exhaust depending on the model.