"We will all die one day. Nothing will change. If by Apache or by cardiac arrest, I prefer Apache" Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi (deceased)
Lu,
You are an engineer held in high esteem in this forum. Your comments and conclusions should always be based on sound and verifiable engineering or scientific principles. Where are the data to support your conclusions that the Apache is "very vulnerable to small arms ammunition as well as RPGs" and "is proving very rapidly that what the army paid for it did not get"?
What research have you conducted? Do you know how many Apache pilots have lost their lives or have been wounded as a result of ground fire? Can you tell me how many Apaches have been downed to ground fire and to which types of ground fire? Do you know what Apache componants have been damaged by ground fire? How does the Apache compare to other attack helicopters?
You wrote in part "small arms rounds downed many of the Apaches" How many is 'many'? Where? When? Where are the data?
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association has conducted studies that show the approximate number of helicopters destroyed in the Vietnam War was 5,086 out of the total sent there of 11,827. The ratio of helicoper loses to helicopters in theatre in Iraq are a fraction of that. Why? They are more survivable. All current designs are more survivable.
Your arguments remind me of the people I hear who say that the world is a more dangerous place. The evidence is otherwise because the risk of death from all causes is less now than at any other time in history. How do I know? I know simply because life expectancy is longer.