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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.
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.
I was joking about the Warthog.
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.Unless, of course the Ukrainian Navy has been hiding a huge riverine assault task force.
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.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 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?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?
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There are a few civilian owned, flying in the US, of course unarmed.
It's good that you reminded about the possibility. Internal waterways are rarely discussed during this war.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.
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.civilian hinds could be re-armed or used for spare parts
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?
I was going to suggest the same. This is an old photo but a pretty robust bird.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?
There was a squadron of Hinds in Alexandria, La about 20-25 years ago (U.S. Army) used for OPFOR training.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.
Yep - IIRC I think those eventually went to Afghanistan.There was a squadron of Hinds in Alexandria, La about 20-25 years ago (U.S. Army) used for OPFOR training.