UK Mil to get NH90?
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Aren't we moving off thread. There was talk on the web of the SAS getting NH-90 about six years ago but since then the Dauphin has replaced the A109A. I think its a non story.
I suspect the author of this piece in the Sunday Mail started his career at the Sunday Sport, as the idea of the SAS procuring NH90’s is about as believable as one of NASA’s space probes spotting a Lancaster bomber on the moon, or that Elvis is alive and well and residing in Leeds.
On the sales PowerPoint presentation, many new aircraft designs promise incredible performance, systems integration, reliability and reduced maintenance gains, but in truth when it pulls up outside the hangar – often many years late and vastly over budget – the reality is somewhat different, so yet again we compromise and adapt.
In spite of the fact that there are 5 NH90 productions lines around the world, delivery numbers to the six or so customers with platforms in stock are years behind plan and still only trickling off the line and to suggest recipients’ are very unhappy with their all singing all dancing Hangar Queen’s would be an understatement.
I read that the latest deliveries to the Dutch Navy are for a platform in a "Meaningful Operational Capability" (MOC) configuration. I mean what’s that all about?
Noting a thread on Rotorheads regarding problems associated with in-field composite repairs, can you imagine the nightmare maintenance/quality issues of trying to patch-up a composite structure in Afghanistan where dust and sand works its way into every nook and cranny.
Add to that, issues with the floor, the ramp, door gun positioning, the landing gears suitability for uneven terrain operations, the radar and poor airframe and engine reliability issues, the NH90 is a long way off proving itself as a COMBAT PROVEN platform likely to be chosen by Britain’s elite forces, who won’t be looking for a "Meaningful Operational Capability" platform.
I’ve no doubt the SAS would love new purpose built platforms, but with a cash strapped MoD and a number of performance improvements added to our existing rotary fleet in order to operate in the sandpit, I’d suggest that the powers that be would argue that what you have now is better than what you had before, so get on with it.
Now had the article referred to S-70M’s, then it may have had some credibility.
Lynxman. The A109 replacement was for an NSRW platform, so anything Mil out of the question.
On the sales PowerPoint presentation, many new aircraft designs promise incredible performance, systems integration, reliability and reduced maintenance gains, but in truth when it pulls up outside the hangar – often many years late and vastly over budget – the reality is somewhat different, so yet again we compromise and adapt.
In spite of the fact that there are 5 NH90 productions lines around the world, delivery numbers to the six or so customers with platforms in stock are years behind plan and still only trickling off the line and to suggest recipients’ are very unhappy with their all singing all dancing Hangar Queen’s would be an understatement.
I read that the latest deliveries to the Dutch Navy are for a platform in a "Meaningful Operational Capability" (MOC) configuration. I mean what’s that all about?
Noting a thread on Rotorheads regarding problems associated with in-field composite repairs, can you imagine the nightmare maintenance/quality issues of trying to patch-up a composite structure in Afghanistan where dust and sand works its way into every nook and cranny.
Add to that, issues with the floor, the ramp, door gun positioning, the landing gears suitability for uneven terrain operations, the radar and poor airframe and engine reliability issues, the NH90 is a long way off proving itself as a COMBAT PROVEN platform likely to be chosen by Britain’s elite forces, who won’t be looking for a "Meaningful Operational Capability" platform.
I’ve no doubt the SAS would love new purpose built platforms, but with a cash strapped MoD and a number of performance improvements added to our existing rotary fleet in order to operate in the sandpit, I’d suggest that the powers that be would argue that what you have now is better than what you had before, so get on with it.
Now had the article referred to S-70M’s, then it may have had some credibility.
Lynxman. The A109 replacement was for an NSRW platform, so anything Mil out of the question.
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Just as an aside I was lucky enough a fair few years back to fly the prototype NH90 and, imho, it was an excellent cab. Far nicer than the Merlin to operate.
I remember that EC were also flying a FBW version around and had the capacity to specifically modify according to customer need. The example given was that the Norwegian test pilot complained that the cabin was too low, a bit like the Blackhawks albeit a little taller. Eurocopters answer was to 'saw' off the roof and add a fillit which raised to roof to more Scandinavian like height requirements.
Can't ever remember Wastelands being so flexible???
Edited to add:
The Lynx has been operating for years in the field with composite panels. Those behind the sliding doors are Nomex I seem to remember, I once had one damaged during operations in foreign (dusty/dirty) fields and we covered it with BDR tape and carried on until Wastelands threw a fit. By that time we had left theatre and had time to glue the requisite repair plug back in.
The GR7/9 is also primarily MMMF and hasn't seemed to have suffered too badly.
I remember that EC were also flying a FBW version around and had the capacity to specifically modify according to customer need. The example given was that the Norwegian test pilot complained that the cabin was too low, a bit like the Blackhawks albeit a little taller. Eurocopters answer was to 'saw' off the roof and add a fillit which raised to roof to more Scandinavian like height requirements.
Can't ever remember Wastelands being so flexible???
Edited to add:
The Lynx has been operating for years in the field with composite panels. Those behind the sliding doors are Nomex I seem to remember, I once had one damaged during operations in foreign (dusty/dirty) fields and we covered it with BDR tape and carried on until Wastelands threw a fit. By that time we had left theatre and had time to glue the requisite repair plug back in.
The GR7/9 is also primarily MMMF and hasn't seemed to have suffered too badly.
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Juliet,
I don't doubt the experience of the Puma force.......
All banter aside, they have done a good job at times in the past, however, perhaps we should be spending more money on expanding the AAC's SF role instead of buying another 'one size fits none' SH platform?
I know, lets buy some MH60's!
As for composite skins, try banging a few holes in it and then do some quick BDR - speed tape is fine for a quick repair but can't beat a bit of wriggly tin and some pop rivets!
I don't doubt the experience of the Puma force.......
All banter aside, they have done a good job at times in the past, however, perhaps we should be spending more money on expanding the AAC's SF role instead of buying another 'one size fits none' SH platform?
I know, lets buy some MH60's!
As for composite skins, try banging a few holes in it and then do some quick BDR - speed tape is fine for a quick repair but can't beat a bit of wriggly tin and some pop rivets!
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What about the Cougar (or the EC whatever-it-is) if you want a little more capacity in a known-ish cab? Any Cloggy (or even oily) Super Puma drivers out there care to comment?
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Is it true that once a Puma has been modified with the proposed new engines and avionics upgrade it is significantly heaver and therefore has a similar if not less performance?
Does the Cougar have better performance than the Puma once it has been modified?
h
Does the Cougar have better performance than the Puma once it has been modified?
h
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If HMG wants some NH90s cheap, I suspect the Australians would be very pleased to pass their sparkling new, never been used inventory on to them at a very reasonable price - so they could then do something really novel for the Australian military acquisition team, like buy something that works.
