SS, I might have known you'd jump on this one, here goes.
1. I know you've been out for a bit now, the Apache is AH, Lynx is LH, Chinnooks, Puma, Seaking etc are SH. I know the Gazelle was AH1, Lynx AH1,7&9 and that won't change. If you would like to go to the Attack Pilots Dinner give the Lord TT a call at Wallop and stake your claim.
2. EC 145 is smaller than Commanche and much smaller than Apache. It is in the same stable as Kiowa, it is a modern light utility helicopter, ideally suited to the recce role. It's twin engine will give it the power to lift much more. The civilian 145 does indeed have a hook for USL, then again so can the Jetranger.
3. If we share the cost of developing this new machine, we have a vote when it comes to deciding what goes in it. The US Army is strapped for cash, so any other cash injections will improve the overall product, and give the pilots a machine that will be fit for purpose. Something, I know you will agree, the pilots who go into harmsway deserve that.
HEDP.
I cannot agree more about the survivability aspect of any military helicopter. The Apache was designed with many features built in, that enhance the crew survivability. It is however built to fight, like a Chally tank is more armoured than a CVR(T), the roles are different.
I agree that given the money, build a specific military recce helicopter, but as I said, the US Army has just scrapped that idea as it was costing too much, given that time is short to get a replacement into service it will have to be a "off the shelf" buy, I don't like it the idea but its the lesser of two evils. The Lynx can't do the job, most of them don't even have sights as a starting point. We (UK Army PLC) need a "find" capability that will enhance the strike capability we have.
One thing is for sure, the Apache is not a recce platform, I conceed it can do Recce, indeed in the absence of a dedicated Recce platform, it will have to fill that role, but it is very costly.
If the AAC doesn't get a replacement for Lynx, it will become a single type unit, it will struggle to justify itself on the bigger stage, vast amounts of money for a single type. It could be argued that we will be specialist in our field, then again the Harrier force are specialist in the CAS role in the RAF!