Military Aviation News and Discussion

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
In less than 24 hours two Black Hawks crashed in different parts of the world.
A Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk of the Armada de Mexico - Fuerza Aeronaval (Mexican Navy) came down in Los Mochis, Sinaloa state.

Also on 15 July 2022, this Royal Thai Army (Kong Thap Bok Thai) Sikorsky Black Hawk (serial 7003/05) of 9th Aviation Battalion Blackhawks (based at Lop Buri/Sa Pran Nak), crashed into trees after encountering engine trouble.

The commander of the 4th Army Region and six other soldiers were injured and the helicopter received substantial damage.






Bonusvideo.
It is actually incredible that this modified Myasishchev 3MN-2 can fly in this VM-T Atlant configuration.
 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Nice idea, but those huge pontoons will undoubtly cause an enormous amount of drag.
In my opinion something like the Canadair CL-415, Beriev Be-200 or Shin Meiwa US-2 would be better. Specially the last one is more practical and cost effective for C-130J users, because it uses also Allison AE2100 engines.
 

Terran

Well-Known Member
Nice idea, but those huge pontoons will undoubtly cause an enormous amount of drag.
In my opinion something like the Canadair CL-415, Beriev Be-200 or Shin Meiwa US-2 would be better. Specially the last one is more practical and cost effective for C-130J users, because it uses also Allison AE2100 engines.
Obviously the Russian is out of the question. CL 415 is closest to the want but out of production especially since this isn’t looking for a dedicated procurement. US-2 in my opinion should be procured by the USCG but it’s a maritime patrol aircraft where the aim of the MAC is an amphibious aviation cargo capability.
The want is for MC130J loaded with SOF team or gear to be able to take off and “land” in water. A capability that has potential for say landing a clandestine mission in the pacific without using landing strips or clearings. It’s a capability set that really doesn’t exist right now. A purpose built platform would be nice but is likely to be very expensive and less useful.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Obviously the Russian is out of the question. CL 415 is closest to the want but out of production especially since this isn’t looking for a dedicated procurement. US-2 in my opinion should be procured by the USCG but it’s a maritime patrol aircraft where the aim of the MAC is an amphibious aviation cargo capability.
The want is for MC130J loaded with SOF team or gear to be able to take off and “land” in water. A capability that has potential for say landing a clandestine mission in the pacific without using landing strips or clearings. It’s a capability set that really doesn’t exist right now. A purpose built platform would be nice but is likely to be very expensive and less useful.
The CL 415 has been replaced by the CL 515 now referred to as DHC 515 with the rebranding of Viking Aircraft under DeHavilland Aircraft Canada.

 

Terran

Well-Known Member
Not in production yet, and then you still have the number question and mission questions. I mean this is a back pocket capability, for USAFsoc.
C130 is a cargo aircraft, DHC515 is a water tanker with some cargo capacity. 515 what 20 paratroopers or 3 tons of cargo? C130 64 paratroopers or 20 tons of cargo. That’s a huge difference if the DHC is of the same scale to the CL then it’s closer in scale to the V22 than the C130.
I mean the closest aircraft I can think off to MAC’s capacity well being amphibious in the west would be the WW2 era Glenn R Martin JMR MARS.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Not in production yet, and then you still have the number question and mission questions. I mean this is a back pocket capability, for USAFsoc.
C130 is a cargo aircraft, DHC515 is a water tanker with some cargo capacity. 515 what 20 paratroopers or 3 tons of cargo? C130 64 paratroopers or 20 tons of cargo. That’s a huge difference if the DHC is of the same scale to the CL then it’s closer in scale to the V22 than the C130.
I mean the closest aircraft I can think off to MAC’s capacity well being amphibious in the west would be the WW2 era Glenn R Martin JMR MARS.
BC used to employ a MARS for fire fighting. Perhaps waiting for something to develop from DARPA’s Liberty Lifter effort is the way forward.
 

koxinga

Well-Known Member
..
The want is for MC130J loaded with SOF team or gear to be able to take off and “land” in water. A capability that has potential for say landing a clandestine mission in the pacific without using landing strips or clearings. It’s a capability set that really doesn’t exist right now. A purpose built platform would be nice but is likely to be very expensive and less useful.
This "MAC" concept of operations generates more questions than answers.

The goal seems to be able to deliver cargo to the theatre of operations, presumbly at speeds/time which a conventional cargo vessel cannot (e.g MV Ocean Trader or MV Carolyn Chouest). I mean, let's look at the options again.
  1. Clandestine, small cargo, long transit time - SSN with Dry dock shelter
  2. Semi-clandestine, significant cargo, long transit time - MV Ocean Trader or MV Carolyn Chouest
  3. Non-clandestine, significant cargo, fast transit time, friendly country/airstrip - C-130J
  4. Non-clandestine, large cargo, slow transit time, friendly country - commercial or MSC
If a capability is built around this, it would could end up being expensive, because only small numbers of platforms would be procured. And being rarely used, it could be one of those that get the chop when budgets are up for discussion.
 
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ngatimozart

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  • #631
Nice idea, but those huge pontoons will undoubtly cause an enormous amount of drag.
In my opinion something like the Canadair CL-415, Beriev Be-200 or Shin Meiwa US-2 would be better. Specially the last one is more practical and cost effective for C-130J users, because it uses also Allison AE2100 engines.
I have to be honest, to me it looks like a solution looking for a problem. I think some brass hat with scrambled eggs on their hat visor has had a eureka moment and decided that it's the best idea since sliced bread, or since Noah captained the ark.
And who's going to pay for it? It's a Surface Effect Vessel that's been sitting alongside the Caspian Sea corroding for 40 years. The Caspian Sea is shrinking and its salinity is increasing because of that meaning that the corrosion is increasing in pace as each year passes.
BC used to employ a MARS for fire fighting. Perhaps waiting for something to develop from DARPA’s Liberty Lifter effort is the way forward.
Who's got the sole remaining airworthy MARS now? Last I saw of it was a series of videos that Kermit Weeks did on it before the pandemic. He got some stick time in it and looked like they were flying it down into the US. I thought he might have been looking at buying and taking it down too his place in Florida.
The want is for MC130J loaded with SOF team or gear to be able to take off and “land” in water. A capability that has potential for say landing a clandestine mission in the pacific without using landing strips or clearings. It’s a capability set that really doesn’t exist right now. A purpose built platform would be nice but is likely to be very expensive and less useful.
If that was the case they have the option of the Shin Meiwa U-2 which would be ideal. If there is something that requires a Herc then it can be turfed out the back end of one flying low and slow.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Boeing claims they have learned their lessons from failed fixed price contracts. Five billion over on a 4.9 billion dollar contract! I suggest it is Boeing shareholders who need to learn some lessons! For starters, get a board of directors that know what they are doing and can get decent management installed. Second, sue the $hit out of the previous gang. Third, move management back to Seattle.

 

ngatimozart

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Boeing claims they have learned their lessons from failed fixed price contracts. Five billion over on a 4.9 billion dollar contract! I suggest it is Boeing shareholders who need to learn some lessons! For starters, get a board of directors that know what they are doing and can get decent management installed. Second, sue the $hit out of the previous gang. Third, move management back to Seattle.

I'll believe it when I see it. You watch the price of the next tranche of the KC-46 go up and any foreign buys go up as well as they try to gouge back the $5 billion they have lost on the program so far.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
I'll believe it when I see it. You watch the price of the next tranche of the KC-46 go up and any foreign buys go up as well as they try to gouge back the $5 billion they have lost on the program so far.
They will certainly try but they have to worry about LM offering a US built MRTT. As for foreign sales, other than Japan and Israel, most will lean toward MRTT.
 

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
Britain to work with Japan on new fighter jet programme (msn.com)
Boris Johnson has given a speech at Farnborough about the future of the British, Italian and Japanese fighter programs. Mentioning we may see decisions on deeper partnerships by the end of the year. This partnership makes a lot of sense, all 3 are F-35 users, it will not be a EU project, has decent export potential. Wouldn't be surprised to see Sweden join this group as well.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Britain to work with Japan on new fighter jet programme (msn.com)
Boris Johnson has given a speech at Farnborough about the future of the British, Italian and Japanese fighter programs. Mentioning we may see decisions on deeper partnerships by the end of the year. This partnership makes a lot of sense, all 3 are F-35 users, it will not be a EU project, has decent export potential. Wouldn't be surprised to see Sweden join this group as well.
Yep, interesting potential and I believe Sweden already has some fingers into this via Saab. Another example of Putin providing incentive for military upgrades. To bad it took the Ukraine event to motivate many of the military decisions now underway.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
With regards to the Caspian sea monster I was not suggesting some refurbishment but that there may have been concepts that may have been learnt from this aircraft in future developments ,but of course just because its technically feasible doesn't mean there's a military need
 

ngatimozart

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  • #639
With regards to the Caspian sea monster I was not suggesting some refurbishment but that there may have been concepts that may have been learnt from this aircraft in future developments ,but of course just because its technically feasible doesn't mean there's a military need
It certainly is an interesting concept and perfectly viable as a travel mode. It certainly cannot be called an aircraft because it doesn't meet the criteria and that's why it's termed a Surface Effect Vehicle because it only reaches an altitude of 100ft (30.5m). It would be interesting to see someone come up with a concept for one as a support vehicle for amphib forces deployed on islands.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
Yep, interesting potential and I believe Sweden already has some fingers into this via Saab. Another example of Putin providing incentive for military upgrades. To bad it took the Ukraine event to motivate many of the military decisions now underway.
There's also Italian involvement via Leonardo. The UK, Sweden & Italy signed an MoU in January 2021. Doesn't commit anyone to much AFAIK, but it shows interest.
 
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