Sensor/Sight on the nose gives the operator the the best of both worlds i.e. can look up and down
Not mounted on a shelf on the nose like Wildcat's turret is at the moment it doesn't - it's either a look up or ahead. The only look down is from altitude with a very low nose.
Does manned rotary recce have a place any more unless it's a double hat recce/attack platform such as AH-64?
Yep. Imagine a platform with a really good sensor suite that could go roving well ahead of any other platform to hunt (FIND) targets. Then assuming that platform is equipped with a data link that was compatible with either your ground based ISTAR & Fires assets or heavens forbid, could link straight into the AH cockpit? Now given the numbers of RW platforms we have, comapred with the relatively low number of FJs and UAVs which are held as theatre level assets and are like rocking horse sh1t to get hold of, then I would imagine that as a ground commander, having your own organic airborne FIND / FIX / STRIKE capability that meant you didn't have to rely on the Air Component and a 72 hr ATO planning cycle would be a very good thing.
Just a thought.