Agree totally WG13. I always am amazed when the subject of giving the AAC some decent lift capability how defensive the crabs get. What is the problem with Teeny weeny airways being able to supplement the lift capability of the RAF/RN SH fleet? Lynx can just about manage a fire team but really should be able to lift a section complete with kit.
On ops would it not make sense if an AAC airframe could be used to lift an 8 man patrol into the field rather than use a Chinook that could be better employed moving a platoon or heavy stores?
the helecopter that replaces Lynx should have the capability to lift most of the light weapons up to and including the Light Gun. Not as a routine task but as a capability in reserve. I am well aware how well chinook does it with the whole lot going as a package however as everyone keeps saying chinooks are valuable assets and their aren't enough to go round.
Yes the funding of the armed forces is tight but robbing assets of peter to give paul a bigger budget is unfortunatley the way this govt is running the defence budget for as long as the service chiefs are fighting petty battles over kit they won't have the energy to raise the issues that need sorting.