 |
Two Army Air Corps Apache attack helicopters are pictured at the Army
Aviation Centre Middle Wallop.
Designed to hunt and destroy tanks, the Apache attack helicopter has
significantly improved the Army's operational capability.Apache can operate in all weathers, day or night and detect, classify and prioritise up to 256 potential targets in a matter of seconds. It carries a mix of weapons including rockets, Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain gun.Photographer: Peter Davies |
Take a look at that potential load out.
19 shot rocket pods times four.
Theoretical mission....defense against small boats....
Loaded with 2.75 guided rockets....armor piercing and you have the capability to take out 76 small craft??!!
Helos. Guided rockets. Equal the ultimate in small boat killers.
A damn good point and one of many possibilities that deploying from the sea could open for Uk apaches given the right weapons load and integration.
ReplyDeleteyeah...i wonder why the world's navies haven't locked on to this simple and highly effective solution.
ReplyDeleteHello Solomon,
ReplyDeletehave a read of this:
http://www.the-grey-lynx.com/at_war.htm
GrandLogistics.
they make LGZs you know :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbEBKY9arYQ
Would make a nice add-on to LCS too.
i didn't know that Spudman but considering they did it with a 2.75 it makes sense that a larger rocket would be doable.
ReplyDeleteand i guess that's my biggest problem. its approaching the size and weight of a hellfire so i lose interest because that grounds already covered.
It's all about cost. The seeker + Zuni is much less expensive than a Hellfire. If you are going against larger bunkers or slow (<25mph) moving targets that require a larger punch, it fits the bill nicely.
ReplyDeletebtw, adapting the Zuni for laser and IIR guidance has been on the Navy's mind for a few years.
"Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) provides precision guidance to the existing Hydra 70, 2.75-inch rocket system (scalable to 5-inch) by placing a laser-guided seeker on existing rocket motors and warheads, providing an excellent low-cost, mid-range weapon that is well suited to the urban environment. Accurate to within 2 meters of the aim point, the weapon will destroy target sets consisting of personnel, unarmored vehicles, lightly-armored vehicles, armored personnel carriers, structures, and man-portable air defense systems at ranges from 1.5 to 5 kilometers. Initial operational capability is expected
in fiscal year 2010.
Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket
The Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket (LOGIR) is a Hydra 70, 2.75-inch rocket with a frontend inertial/infrared guidance kit. LOGIR technology is applicable to 5-inch rockets (such as Zunis) and bombs (such as JDAM). In 2006, the LOGIR team from the weapons division
of the Naval Air Warfare Center completed final deployment testing and the results showed excellent functionality. In addition, researchers have made significant theoretical advances that will lead to the elimination of nearly all image processing thresholds, technologies that are now being incorporated into LOGIR."
http://nae.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/downloads/NAV2010_11_roadmap_Weapons_sp.pdf
Uk Apaches carry rockets with flescette (questionable spelling) payload. Basically darts which deploy from the rocket.
ReplyDeleteApparently they are devastating against personnel and i imagine unarmoured boats would be equally well shot up