Okay Doors Off; come up with some valid hot and high performance figures for AAH, MRH-90, S-70 (your designation) and then we can do some good analysis and have a proper debate that might interest other forum participants.
Combat operations have to be conducted cost-effectively with affordable losses. Flexibility, Versatility and Economy of Effort are longstanding principles of war-fighting and none of the fore-mentioned types relate well to that guidance. Consider this extract from a very comprehensive US Army study of Vietnam War operations:
‘The (US) Army's decision to standardize on a utility tactical transport helicopter has far-reaching implications on every operation from its planning to its execution. Literally hundreds of our key battles could not have been fought without a light, agile machine that could go into improbable landing zones at a critical time. Had the Army chosen to build its airmobile tactics around a ‘platoon carrier’, different and less flexible tactics would have been forced on our commanders. As we move to replace the Huey fleet, we must never lose sight of the essential characteristics that made the Huey invaluable to the Infantry commander. Technology offers so many tempting alternatives that one can easily forget the basic problems of squad tactics. The vital lessons which we learned in the ‘sizing’ of our helicopter fleet dare not be forgotten.’ – Lieutenant General John J. Tolson
Discarding the Iroquois leaves the ADF without the most valuable of battlefield support helos, a light inexpensive utility aircraft capable of widely varied roles that can be operated very cost-effectively with some affordable losses in combat. Will the MRH-90 be utilized for ammo resupplies and casevac during ongoing close quarters engagements? Doubtful, at around $45million a copy.
Over the past 2 years, Australian defence expenditure has increased from 7.6 percent of government revenue to nearer 10 percent, which is unsustainable without further impost on taxpayers. Operating costs for the ADF are going off the clock and will worsen significantly in the helo field, but nobody is being held accountable.
The Iroquois are not yet gone; they are keeping 5 and the rest could be retained by a sensible political decision.
Last edited by Bushranger 71; 13th Jul 2010 at 03:57.