AH-1Z, UH-1Y, MV-22, CH-53 (soon to upgrade to the K model) and soon the F-35B.
Guess what boys and girls? We have a speed problem. I didn't even include the CH-46 because its headed out to pasture as we speak but the problem lies mainly with the AH-1Z, UH-1Y and their relation to the MV-22. Theoretically both those helicopters can be used as escorts for the MV-22 but realistically its a dead issue. The MV-22 flies too fast and far for the AH-1Z to be of much use...much less the UH-1Y.
The answer is probably a drastic re-working of the MEU's airwing. If the future holds raids from the sea as one of the primary combat missions then we'll need more F-35's on deck....almost no AH-1Z's....only a few (as in one or two--and that's assuming that the Navy doesn't have an H-60 around) UH-1Y's...and the remainder of the airwing being composed of only MV-22's and CH-53K's for lift.
All escort, ground support etc will have to fall on a drastically increased fixed wing component. I remember reading in the Gazette about how stoked AH-1Z pilots were because they wouldn't have to tell CH-53 pilots to slow down while on escort missions. With MV-22's coming online and CH-53K's soon after, AH-1Z pilots won't have to ask them slow down, they'll have to ask them where they are cause they'll be so far behind.
Which brings me to an uncomfortable thought for Marine leadership. In order to get those needed F-35B's might it be time to consider cutting the F-35C purchase and buying F/A-18E/F's to fulfill the carrier air wing requirement? It would free up money to help preserve the MEU's air wing and get more F-35B's on our amphibs.
No thank you. Any reduction in ANY F-35 buy will make all the rest more expensive. Couple that with the increased support, IFR, & escort costs of babysitting the replacement F-18s and you don't save any money.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a V-22 escort you need, there are several options.
1. The F-35 - It can cruise at the same speed as the V-22 without fear of stalling.
2. Arm the V-22 - I am talking about being more serious than just a remote weapon station in the belly.
3. Fast rotor VTOL movers are on the way - X2 and the like with coaxial rotors, pusher props , etc.
4. Upgrade the AH-1Z - Since the Marines love to keep upgrading this thing, upgrade it using Piasecki's plans. This would equate to faster speeds, better acceleration, better handling, and more weapons on the battlefield.
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/piasecki_cobra.php
you're misreading me. the F-35B buy would be plussed up and the F-35C buy would be scrapped in favor of the F-18. already the C model is on track to be the most expensive model because only the US Navy will be buying it. trading that in favor of the F-18 would save the USMC money and screw the US Navy but wouldn't endanger the project. we already have Singapore, Japan and Israel coming online to make up for shortfalls in the program with S. Korea soon to follow.
ReplyDeletethe C model is the bird that's in danger...not any other platform...the Navy sees this that's why they're becoming flaky.
The USMC is limited as to the total number of F-35Bs that they can deploy due to the USN disallowing them on the big decks. This is why the USMC is being forced to buy F-35Cs.
ReplyDeletebtw, The F-35B is and will always be the most expensive version overall due to the massive cost of the liftfan.
geez dude i'm talking about putting more F-35's on amphibs and taking some helicopters off...it might be just 3-5 more but its still more. oh and by the way how can you say that when the F-35C is going to have such a small production run in comparison?????
ReplyDeleteUnless there is a lot more foreign interest in the F-35B, then they are never going to overcome the cost difference.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at the FY2013 budget. They bought 4 x F-35Cs at $142mil each. Keep in mind this is only the 4th year of F-35C production.
Now look at the F-35B. For FY2013 they are building 6 of them at $146mil each! To make matters worse, this is the 6th year of F-35B production. The poison pill for the F-35B is the engine & liftfan. The F-35B's powerplant costs $36.4mil compared to the F-35C at $14mil. That is 2.5x more expensive.
The only area where the F-35C was more expensive than the B was in airframe cost. The B was $89mil and the C was $97mil. Considering the B is farther along in production (6th vs 4th year), lighter, and being built at a 50% greater rate, this gap is very small.
hello solomon...i am from Portugal and i read your blog quite often.You have to forgive my english...I have a question for you : why didn t the u.s armed forces never equiped the v-22 whith «real weapons»(Not talking about the ramp m-240 or m-2 )? In the last decade there where plnas to equip the v-22 whit rockets,canons,hellfire missiles and even harpoon missiles...this never happen because of budget or because of tech.problems? In Bill gunston book modern fighting helicopters the them future v-22 was portraiet whit a lot of possibilaties of weapons
ReplyDeleteHey Mr. Gomes...welcome to the pack!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really much on the air side but if i had to point out the issue i'd say that it had to do with the tilting rotors. weapons clearance was an issue and although it could be worked out the idea of sacrificing payload to weapons load especially when its exposure to ground fire is less than half that of a regular helicopter had everyone thinking it just wasn't worth it.