Will the US Army lose the next War because of this?

[SASless]

Being an old Chinook Pilot...literally.....this topic is of interest to me for many reasons.

The Army's decision re up-grading the Chinook fleet is becoming very controversial.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/if-us-military-doesn’t-fix-we-won’t-win-next-big-war-58562?fbclid=IwAR1QE7NBMVYKosViF6htrNWI9TsJ3U2k7itewtUCTlVSF Szha5T0P4Rj_0Q


https://www.rotorandwing.com/2018/10/08/big-ticket-army-modernization-programs-drain-chinook-upgrade-budgets/

[Evalu8ter]

There is already talk of a backlash from The Hill. Questions being asked about a stopgap -47 order to buy-out the immediate issues with the -53K and give Sikorsky time to get it right. There’s also talk of funding Boeing to examine fitting the T408 engine from the -53K to the Chinook (a subtle 2000+ hp increase per side.....) to see if, perhaps, it’s better to go straight to Block III. The other impact of stopping Block II is increased unit costs for export customers and when the US decides to reopen the line. Lots to play for.....

[minigundiplomat]

SASless,

Availability of CH47 was a major pinchpoint during the early part of the UK's Afghanistan operations circa 2006-2007; it wasn't the operator making the noise, it was the Battlegroup Commanders and Senior Planners. If you are planning air manoeuvre warfare, you better have sufficient CH47.......

[Lonewolf_50]

SASless, to say that the change of course in the progress of the Chinook program is a mistake is to say that fish swim in water. Yeah, someone
Questions being asked about a stopgap -47 order to buy-out the immediate issues with the -53K and give Sikorsky time to get it right.
Just gonna say that you seem to have gotten your armed services mixed up. The 53's meet a USMC requirement. The Chinooks meet an Army requirement.

[Training Risky]

SASless,

Availability of CH47 was a major pinchpoint during the early part of the UK's Afghanistan operations circa 2006-2007; it wasn't the operator making the noise, it was the Battlegroup Commanders and Senior Planners. If you are planning air manoeuvre warfare, you better have sufficient CH47.......
...with plenty of EAPS available for desert/dust conditions. And make sure the loggies provides lots of FARPS so you don't run dry between FOBs!
Good to see the new HC4+ have moving maps and glass cockpit. In my day it was a clunky GPS/INS/Doppler CINS panel.

[SASless]

Lone,

I believe what E8 was saying is the Chinook can pick up some of the operational demands until the kinks are worked out on the 53-K model as Army Chinooks have supported USMC units in the sandbox before due to the Phrog's being unable to cope with the high DA's.

Swapping Hooks for 53's can work for many of the land based evolutions if the Marines will just ask for the support.

[Evalu8ter]

Lonewolf - nope. The USMC have reportedly been directed by lawmakers to receive a briefing on CH-47F as a possible mitigation against continued -53K problems.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-06/pentagon-review-pits-boeing-vs-lockheed-for-marine-helicopters

[SASless]

Having flown the earliest "A" models...along with the B, C-, and C model Chinook....the thought of 7500 shp engines under the hood gives me the shivers....that would make the old girl a real horse to ride!


https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-to-test-ch-47f-chinook-with-two-7500shp-engi-458380/