Wiley - good post. I tend to agree a little in that there is now no aircraft to be the "General's" fast transport (like Kiowa could be).
HOWEVER - balancing your point, having several squadrons of other Helo's means additional logistic support (spares etc), fuel etc on or around the battlefield. Also, you need to consider the FIC (Fundamental Inputs to Capability) issues associated with having all these extra aircraft - that is, the true cost in operating them (extra pilots, maintainers, facilities and the costs associated with all these extra things). In other words - great idea but VERY expensive. Note now that Army is having problems manning both Tiger and NH90 (despite having notice of the need for additional aircrew etc as far back as 2003).
Another example, previously in Pprune there was a lot of discussion about the F-18's and the fact that the ADF could only field 3 squadrons (54 aircraft) on line - and how could this be if we had 71 of the things. Well, the answer was that the RAAF was funded for that level of warfighting aircraft (three squadrons) and kept enough pilots opersational to meet that need. The RAAF had many more than 54 Hornet pilots - and if the Goverment wanted (we argued) - we could give you more - but that meant extra costs - such as flying hours for those extra guys to keep them current, costs associated with that (fuel etc) and of course the increased maintenance costs for the increased utilisation of the jets, therefore increasing fatigue accummulations etc etc etc.
It's very easy to say lets have 50 Hueys to run around the battlefield - making it happen considering the FULL cost of doing that is another matter.
Afghan - I bet the aircraft operating off the LPA's will also enjoy having WX Radar - you see, ADF trooplift operations are not just around the battlefield.............................
Trojan - not having a dig at you earlier - happy to answer your question.