Originally Posted by
Lucifer Morningstar
From the Defence Synergia paper (link earlier in forum), taking into account fuel load and typical operating environments.
Lift capacity Internal Space Fully equipped troops lift with 3 crew
Wildcat ~1.2 tonnes 6 sq metres ~5 troops Leonardo
AW149 2.5 tonnes ~ 6.5 sq metres ~6 troops
Airbus H175M <1.6 tonnes ~ 6-7 sq metres ~ 6 troops
Blackhawk 5 tonnes ~ 12 sq metres - ~11 troops
The Blackhawk has double the troop capacity of either the 149 or 175, and at least twice the USL capacity according to their figures. Given the operating cost per hour, this makes LH and Airbus options up to 3 times as expensive to achieve the same section lift.
Sounds a bit more like it, although 6 is maybe a bit low. I would think 10-12 maybe. Our offshore fit in a 175 is 16 seats, it’s pretty full in there at max load, and of course there’s no bags in there. Disposable is about 2.7 tonnes, but that of course depends on the fit, remove dinghies but add Self Defence kit etc.