US Army aviation has a tradition of operating in coastal areas dating back to Vietnam. They shared the skies with the renowned Sea Wolves and were a force to be reckoned with.
Fast forward to the 1980's and 90's and you have US Army aviation operating in the Persian Gulf.
The future for Army Aviation is a partner ship with the Navy. And they have the perfect tool to make it work...the OH-58F.
Littoral Combat requires the identification of targets in cluttered sea lanes. In marshes and canals...in green turning to brown water. The weapons and optical package found on the OH-58F makes it tailor made to this mission.
Its also a win for the US Army in the future. A rotation between Aviation Brigades would make it a perfect fit with training taking place with both Navy and Marine Units it shouldn't be a particular burden for any of the services. Additionally the skids on the OH-58F should make it a bit easier to handle on the deck of a pitching ship...a much better option than the AH-64...oh and did I mention that optics package?
Army Aviation is already a frequent visitor to Naval vessels in the form of the 160th...that role should be expanded.
If Sea Basing is about being a joint force then this integration of Army Aviation onboard LCS' and Burke Destroyers should be a no brainer.
NOTE:
This proposal only makes sense if my prediction of future budget cuts come true. In the environment I foresee, the Marine Corps will cut not to 175,000 but to 150,000 when all is said and done. The Army will be equally savaged and the services will not be seeking to expand capabilities but simply to maintain competencies. Putting Army Scout Helicopters on US Navy warships will keep them 'gainfully' employed, will act as a cost effective Fire Scout replacement (which I see getting axed if not this year then next) and will provide aerial observation and guns in an area in which Marine Aviation will already be stretched just to maintain current and projected operating tempos.
It's an interesting idea that's been thrown around a lot, but there are a few caveats.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all is training. Taking off and landing from a ship is a speciality.
During blue skies and a flat sea it's peanuts, but 75% of the time a ship - even a large LHD or CVN - will be corkscrewing on the sea. Throw in buffeting winds and the clash of cold sea temps and the hot temperatures of the ship itself and its exhaust gasses makes it an explosive mix; the light Kiowa will be struggling or be limited to fair weather ops only.
You'd have to (re-)train and equip the crews (pilots and maintainers) for sea survival, transfer army unique spares and equipment to the ship. All possible, but at a cost.
The sea environment is also full with salt and particles. Not just in the wind but also spray and salty rain will attack the "land" paint and army metal.
Not to mention those optics.
Navy helicopters have special paint jobs and have toughened blades and engines (sucking up salt air is like sandblasting engine parts).
Could be applied to the Kiowa of course, but maintenance requirements would go up.
You also have to put extra/different radios in it, extra nav gear (just GPS isn't enough), able to read maritime beacons and IFFs etc etc.
Again, for short durations/limited missions basing army aviation aboard ships is very well possible - been done before in the Gulf, Grenada and Haiti, but it will require hard work from both the army and navy.
(PS Check out Operation Prime Chance - SOCOM with AH-6s from navy ships and barges).
If the Marines were told that due to the budget cuts they could get the rest of the MV-22 buy or the F-35B but not both which one do you think they would go for? Its predicated on getting the CH-53K's regardless.
ReplyDeleteMarcase is very right about changes to Army pilot training and equippage. I had Army helos land on Newport several times (back then it was regularly sked event). The Navy pilot liasion had much to teach the Army pilots in a short time about landing on a glide slope above ground level, and not dropping the tail skid too far, and other naval ship systems not to metion wind envelop.
ReplyDeleteCan Army be re-trained, some can. Should Army units practice landing on amphibs - yes indeed.
I would also note that when asked if the wanted helo decks on FSS and LMSRs the Army said emphatically NO. The LMSR conversions to MPF include a full NAVAIR flight deck for up to 53s.