Subject:
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Re: Commanche Helicopter
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 24 Feb 2004 20:48:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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208 times
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In lugnet.technic, Mladen Pejic wrote:
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In lugnet.technic, Steven Lane wrote:
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The U.S army has cancelled the Commanche helicopter program.
http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aTaDFSD81RLI&refer=us
Which is a shame as I only saw one on the TV the other day.
They’ve also cancelled the rather cool crusader self-propelled artillery.
Steve
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Correction: it’s the actual codename for this project is
RAH-66 “Comanche”.
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Also check out this great
BBC article. And yes,
I know the BBC is biased, but I think this article is worth a read.
While I have to agree with you (and my brother), that the Comanche was darn
cool, this is not such a surprise for the defence industry.
Look at all the Blackhawks and Apaches that have been lost in Afghanistan and
Iraq. A lot have been damaged by the simplest of weapons, namely the RPG-7
and assorted Kalashnikov rifles/machineguns.
Now, if the “armoured” Blackhawks and Apaches can be hurt by shaped-charge
warheads, and 7.62mm+ calibre rounds, think what would happen if the thin
skinned Commanche was struck by them?
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So isn’t now the perfect time for a more stealthy chopper? I think the misson
requirements could be re-orientated toward todays needs but I don’t think the
whole program needs to be scrapped.
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I read here that there is high
probability that the Hellfire missiles, even when stowed inside the
helicopter can be hit by rounds and ignited. Imagine that! An anti-tank
missile exploding inside an already frail helicopter!
Let’s face it, the “Comanche” and the “Crusader” are clearly project
holdovers from the Cold War era. I mean seriously, how can an “Advanced Field
Artillery System” (Crusader), that weighs tens of tons, and takes perhaps
days to transport to a battlefield, be justified as a weapon to combat
terrorism?
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Were’nt large parts of both gulf wars conventional?
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It is ironic actually. The American military says they need 7000 armoured
HUMVEEs and more M4 carbines! Can you believe that while the Pentagon is
wasting money on the “Comanche” and “Crusader” the US army and marines still
have small-arms inferior to what the Germans, Russians, not to mention the
terrorists are using? The M60 and M16 are fine weapons... But so much has
advanced since their conceptions.
The results:
The M60 (and M60E3) are both replaced by temporary foreign machineguns, the
Belgium M240 and M249. Both are considered temporary. The M16A2 will be
scrapped, and the German G36 inspired
M8
(XM8) assualt rifles. And guess what? They’re using a brand new calibre:
6.8mm Remington. And they’re also developing a 25mm grenade launcher.
So do you see just how skewed the priorities of the US military have been?
While the American soldier is one of the best in the world, why does the
Army’s and Marine’s infantry get such outdated weapons? Why is money wasted
on holdovers from the Cold War? What nation will even attempt to attack the
US with its military?
Sorry for the rant, but maybe you’ll come away from this post a little wiser.
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You should be sorry. I find your tone very patronising, I said those two systems
we’re cool, not 100% practical. You have made assumptions about my knowledge of
weaponry or lack of it on a very short post.
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I say that as the world’s greatest and only superpower,
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We (the UK) have got nukes as well, thank you very much! Remember the UK? Little
old country, next to europe (yes ok, included in europe),seem to remember us
taking the number two slot in the great coalition.
Steve
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Commanche Helicopter
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| (...) Dude, do you even know anything about the "Comanche"? It is a scout/attack helicopter. The "Apache" and "Cobra" can both carry more weapons than it, and the "Kiowa" is still capable as a scout platform. Why waste more money on this clearly (...) (21 years ago, 24-Feb-04, to lugnet.off-topic.debate, FTX)
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