I'm beginning to wonder if we're going to be losing capability when the CH-46 retires for good and we're using only the MV-22.
Don't get me wrong, the MV-22 is a technical marvel that has and is proving itself in Afghanistan. But when it comes to getting men and material into tight places...when added stability is needed to get back aboard ship...when simplicity trumps a complex system...are we going to miss these old helicopters?
The V-22 is obviously tailor made for the Special Ops mission.
It has no peer in the rotary winged category when it comes to getting personnel ashore in an assault.
But what happens during those conflicts when its all about the dirty, grimy boring tasks of moving people and supplies around?
In the assault the V-22 is king. For everyday work, we'll miss the CH-46.
is there no updated CH46 like the 53K is doing for that platform?
ReplyDeletefrom what i'm reading on the CH-53K, its going to be used mainly for heavy lift...i guess what i'm actually aiming for is the possibility of the USMC getting the UH-60 to backup the MV-22.
ReplyDeletei just see a need for a medium lift, real deal helicopter for some future missions. i don't see the V-22 doing replenishment at sea missions that the CH-46 is doing. it isn't ideal for getting Marines aboard ships at sea....its a great airplane but for some missions it just isn't ideal and the UH-1Y is too small. which means we have a gap in the utility helicopter mission set.