Irish Army to acquire helicopters for special ops
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Irish Army to acquire helicopters for special ops
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=10972
Elite Army unit to get four armed helicopters
FOUR new armed helicopters are to be used by Ireland's elite soldiers, the Rangers, giving a boost to the country's anti-terrorist capabilities.
It is the first time aircraft have been acquired mainly for use by the Rangers and it also marks the first time Irish helicopters will be armed to support their operations.
Up to now, the Rangers have had to use small Air Corps helicopters, some of them up to 40 years old, but now the force will have large modern helicopters on call.
The move comes amid a continuing security review of Ireland's defence capabilities after the September 11 atrocities, which saw a boost in the strength of the Ranger Wing.
It also reflects the use of the Rangers on dangerous missions like those in East Timor and Liberia where helicopters proved invaluable for inserting and extracting small Special Forces teams.
Such tactics would also be used by the 40-strong Ranger unit promised by the Government to the European Rapid Reaction Force.
According to documents sent to helicopter manufacturers vying for the contract, the four helicopters will have a primary tasking of training and operating with the Rangers. They will each be able to carry two four-man teams.
Don Lavery
Elite Army unit to get four armed helicopters
FOUR new armed helicopters are to be used by Ireland's elite soldiers, the Rangers, giving a boost to the country's anti-terrorist capabilities.
It is the first time aircraft have been acquired mainly for use by the Rangers and it also marks the first time Irish helicopters will be armed to support their operations.
Up to now, the Rangers have had to use small Air Corps helicopters, some of them up to 40 years old, but now the force will have large modern helicopters on call.
The move comes amid a continuing security review of Ireland's defence capabilities after the September 11 atrocities, which saw a boost in the strength of the Ranger Wing.
It also reflects the use of the Rangers on dangerous missions like those in East Timor and Liberia where helicopters proved invaluable for inserting and extracting small Special Forces teams.
Such tactics would also be used by the 40-strong Ranger unit promised by the Government to the European Rapid Reaction Force.
According to documents sent to helicopter manufacturers vying for the contract, the four helicopters will have a primary tasking of training and operating with the Rangers. They will each be able to carry two four-man teams.
Don Lavery
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I believe they have already posted the tender out, anyonw know which manufactuers and what would be the most likely choice of Helicopter? The Ranger Wing currently use the Alloutte for their operations.
"Irelands Defence Capabilities" ehhh we dont have any. Were Fu
d in any major terrosim act. Our defence is whatever the UK can send over.
Actually bring on the FCA (17 year olds who like to play soldier) also all the vast amount of unfit soldiers our Army has to offer.
Bring on the Apache
"Irelands Defence Capabilities" ehhh we dont have any. Were Fu
d in any major terrosim act. Our defence is whatever the UK can send over.Actually bring on the FCA (17 year olds who like to play soldier) also all the vast amount of unfit soldiers our Army has to offer.
Bring on the Apache
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Fintan, thank for your...errr...... helpful and untrue comments, the RDF [no longer the FCA] are not all 17 , and very few of our troops are unfit. I suggest u find information on our DF, in places other then the Irish clone tabloids.
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Battle starts for €50m Air Corps helicopter deal
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=11233
A TIGHTLY-fought battle began yesterday to select the first armed helicopters to fly with the Irish Air Corps in a deal worth more than €50m.
But with the debacle over the previous attempt to buy medium-lift helicopters worth €100m still fresh in everyone's minds, the Department of Defence is treading cautiously <snip>
America's Sikorsky, part of the giant United Technologies group, won the last contract. However, amid threats of legal action by losing competitors, the contract for up to five helicopters was cancelled by Defence Minister Michael Smith, ostensibly as part of cutbacks.
The US company <snip> is offering its famous Blackhawk assault transport helicopter and its S-76 model.
Other familiar faces include British-Italian firm Agusta-Westland. It will submit its A-109 helicopter and its new larger AB-139 chopper for the new contract.
Eurocopter is likely to propose its EC-135 and EC-145 or its Cougar helicopter.
At stake is an initial order for six helicopters, two light machines mainly for training and four utility helicopters, with an option on two more.
The utility helicopters will each be able to carry eight heavily-armed soldiers from the Army Ranger Wing. The aircraft will each be armed with two GPMG machine-guns and a range of other weapons, and will be available for a variety of other tasks.
<snip to end>
A TIGHTLY-fought battle began yesterday to select the first armed helicopters to fly with the Irish Air Corps in a deal worth more than €50m.
But with the debacle over the previous attempt to buy medium-lift helicopters worth €100m still fresh in everyone's minds, the Department of Defence is treading cautiously <snip>
America's Sikorsky, part of the giant United Technologies group, won the last contract. However, amid threats of legal action by losing competitors, the contract for up to five helicopters was cancelled by Defence Minister Michael Smith, ostensibly as part of cutbacks.
The US company <snip> is offering its famous Blackhawk assault transport helicopter and its S-76 model.
Other familiar faces include British-Italian firm Agusta-Westland. It will submit its A-109 helicopter and its new larger AB-139 chopper for the new contract.
Eurocopter is likely to propose its EC-135 and EC-145 or its Cougar helicopter.
At stake is an initial order for six helicopters, two light machines mainly for training and four utility helicopters, with an option on two more.
The utility helicopters will each be able to carry eight heavily-armed soldiers from the Army Ranger Wing. The aircraft will each be armed with two GPMG machine-guns and a range of other weapons, and will be available for a variety of other tasks.
<snip to end>
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First AW139 delivered to IAC
http://www.agustawestland.com/commun...ws=259&yy=2006
Date: 11/08/2006
Irish Air Corps Receive Their First AW139
The first of four AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters for the Irish Air Corps was handed over by Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, AgustaWestland’s Managing Director to Brigadier General James, General Officer Commanding, Irish Air Corps, in the presence of Major General Pat Nash, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Irish Defence Forces, at Vergiate in Italy yesterday. This handover also marks the first delivery of an AW139 to a military customer.
Flying training of Air Corps pilots will now start and will continue until late October, when the second helicopter will be handed over.The AW139 helicopters for the Irish Air Corps are equipped with a range of role equipment including AM/FM tactical radios, a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera with a fifth cockpit LCD mission display. In the cabin the aircraft can be quickly reconfigured from the troop transport role with ten crashworthy troop seats to the medical evacuation role with air ambulance equipment plus seats for attendants. Additional role equipment includes abseiling and fast rope systems as well as a dual machine gun installation. The AW139 was selected by the Irish Department of Defence in December 2004, after a full evaluation of the aircraft against several competitors. Soon after a contract was signed for four aircraft plus two options. The Irish Air Corps will use the aircraft for a range of duties including transport of special operation units of the Defence Forces, air ambulance, overland search and rescue and VIP transport.
The AW139 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C engines each rated at 1679 shp for take-off, giving the aircraft class leading hot and high performance as well as unmatched single engine safety. The large unobstructed 8 m3 cabin with large sliding doors allows easy access and egress for troops and equipment. In the cockpit the aircrew have a fully integrated digital avionics and cockpit display system, which includes a duplex autopilot, flight management system with GPS and a radio navigation system. Over 190 AW139 helicopter have been ordered by mid-2006 making it the best selling helicopter in the medium twin class. Over 40 aircraft have now been delivered to customers in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and the Middle East.
Date: 11/08/2006
Irish Air Corps Receive Their First AW139
The first of four AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters for the Irish Air Corps was handed over by Mr. Bruno Spagnolini, AgustaWestland’s Managing Director to Brigadier General James, General Officer Commanding, Irish Air Corps, in the presence of Major General Pat Nash, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Irish Defence Forces, at Vergiate in Italy yesterday. This handover also marks the first delivery of an AW139 to a military customer.
Flying training of Air Corps pilots will now start and will continue until late October, when the second helicopter will be handed over.The AW139 helicopters for the Irish Air Corps are equipped with a range of role equipment including AM/FM tactical radios, a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera with a fifth cockpit LCD mission display. In the cabin the aircraft can be quickly reconfigured from the troop transport role with ten crashworthy troop seats to the medical evacuation role with air ambulance equipment plus seats for attendants. Additional role equipment includes abseiling and fast rope systems as well as a dual machine gun installation. The AW139 was selected by the Irish Department of Defence in December 2004, after a full evaluation of the aircraft against several competitors. Soon after a contract was signed for four aircraft plus two options. The Irish Air Corps will use the aircraft for a range of duties including transport of special operation units of the Defence Forces, air ambulance, overland search and rescue and VIP transport.
The AW139 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C engines each rated at 1679 shp for take-off, giving the aircraft class leading hot and high performance as well as unmatched single engine safety. The large unobstructed 8 m3 cabin with large sliding doors allows easy access and egress for troops and equipment. In the cockpit the aircrew have a fully integrated digital avionics and cockpit display system, which includes a duplex autopilot, flight management system with GPS and a radio navigation system. Over 190 AW139 helicopter have been ordered by mid-2006 making it the best selling helicopter in the medium twin class. Over 40 aircraft have now been delivered to customers in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and the Middle East.
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Does that mean the Republic will be supporting other NATO nations in future NATO conflicts such as Afghanistan in the future becaue I can't think of another reason for them buying it. This is because I strongly doubt Al Queda will strike Dublin or any other sort of terrorists.
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Lebanon is a more likely dest. than Afg given the Liberia pullout and the new Leb deployment. We can't seem to get shot of the Leb. after all these years.
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Does that mean the Republic will be supporting other NATO nations in future NATO conflicts such as Afghanistan in the future becaue I can't think of another reason for them buying it. This is because I strongly doubt Al Queda will strike Dublin or any other sort of terrorists.
Ok Im getting my coat
Just found these videos by accident, both from YouTube:
Irish Air Corps
Irish Defense forces Recruitment Video Remix
Irish Air Corps
Irish Defense forces Recruitment Video Remix
PPRuNe Engineering Dept Apprentice
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W
Word has it that 2 of the new helicopters arrived today.
They're on their way to Casement Aerodrome (the IAC base for ye wot dunno) after stopping off in the Curragh (no not the racecourse, the military base).
They're on their way to Casement Aerodrome (the IAC base for ye wot dunno) after stopping off in the Curragh (no not the racecourse, the military base).