Leonardo Lobbying for Puma Replacement to Secure Yeovil future
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Do Leonardo export helicopter components from the Yeovil site - things like rotors, rotorheads, rotor folding systems, and so on? I am sure these things were produced for export back in the GKN Westland days.
The case for a smaller simpler aircraft to replace Puma (and maybe the other ancient small twins dotted around the place) is fairly clear. This may or may not come to pass - but increasing the size of the Merlin fleet definitely won't!
A couple of CSG deployments may just concentrate minds.....
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Surely MOD thinking will involve looking at the size of the average army squad then issuing a spec minus one of the optimum seat numbers required.
‘A couple of CSG deployments may just concentrate minds....’
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
Wrong sort of Merlin. Royal isn't the user I'm thinking of, nor is tactical lift. If 60 Chinook, 25 Merlin and 20 or so Puma isn't enough to support future tactical lift, then we may be doing something wrong (even with some frames retiring with age).
The Merlins with mission systems are the ones we need more of - and despite some expectations, UAV will not replace them any time soon.
The Merlins with mission systems are the ones we need more of - and despite some expectations, UAV will not replace them any time soon.
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Wrong sort of Merlin. Royal isn't the user I'm thinking of, nor is tactical lift. If 60 Chinook, 25 Merlin and 20 or so Puma isn't enough to support future tactical lift, then we may be doing something wrong (even with some frames retiring with age).
The Merlins with mission systems are the ones we need more of - and despite some expectations, UAV will not replace them any time soon.
The Merlins with mission systems are the ones we need more of - and despite some expectations, UAV will not replace them any time soon.
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Go on, you know you want them, you really really want them,,,,
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
I assume you mean the rationale for more frames, rather than that UAV can't do the role.
When the CSG deploys it'll need somewhere between 8 and 12 Merlin HM2 spread across the group, 6-8 Pingers and 4 Baggers. That's from a forward fleet of 18-20 cabs which also have to provide training frames for 824NAS, support to Gannet, one for the TAPS and potentially another frigate. Once you factor in serviceability that's challenging.
When the CSG deploys it'll need somewhere between 8 and 12 Merlin HM2 spread across the group, 6-8 Pingers and 4 Baggers. That's from a forward fleet of 18-20 cabs which also have to provide training frames for 824NAS, support to Gannet, one for the TAPS and potentially another frigate. Once you factor in serviceability that's challenging.
‘A couple of CSG deployments may just concentrate minds....’
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
But I do agree with you 400 into 100 airframes is ambitious lest it offset costs for the technology. Then again look at how small the RAF is compared to 2 decades ago and 3 and 4...
cheers
Chopper, the Puma is being replaced in the short term by some leased H225s IIRC. I spoke to the head of the H160M project last week and he stated that the aircraft is seen as the Puma replacement for escorting the CSAR recovery birds, as well as other Air Force roles such as replacing the Fennecs in the slow mover AI task. As always, lots can change between now and ISD......
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I thought the French were looking at Chinook as well after the use of the RAF ones in Africa and their participation in the Bastille Day parade?
https://www.overtdefense.com/2019/07...k-helicopters/
https://www.overtdefense.com/2019/07...k-helicopters/
Go on, you know you want them, you really really want them,,,,
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
Go on, you know you want them, you really really want them,,,,
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
https://www.airandground.com/sikorsk...k-helicopters/
The basic air frame is probably fine, but otherwise, thank you, but no, thanks.
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‘A couple of CSG deployments may just concentrate minds....’
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
Not really. If Royal really needs to go somewhere and do something, rather than simply posturing, conducting TV friendly beach assaults and attending Cocker-Ps, the first thing that will occur will be 4-6 Chinooks arriving on board. Yes they can’t fold, but they offer about 3-4 times the punch per deck spot of the Merlin and, crucially, are capable of carrying the heavy kit (vehicles/guns) that Merlin simply cannot.
The proposed NGR is a ‘medium’ helicopter replacement. Merlin is only a ‘medium’ in terms of performance and lift, it is a ‘heavy’ in terms of space (wider / taller than a Chinook, almost as long and arguably with a worse downwash) and in cost to both buy and operate. It makes complete sense for Puma/Merlin (CHF) to be replaced by a common airframe. The French have been even more extreme, planning to replace 400+ Gazelles, Fennecs, Alouettes, Pumas, Dauphins, Panthers and Cougars with just over 160 H160Ms. IMHO, this bit of industrial protectionism sinks the Euro-NGR initiative. I simply can’t see there being enough demand to build a new type at an affordable price. NH-90 has produced a curate’s egg of a machine; highly sophisticated, but also fragile and expensive - especially when compared directly to later models of UH-60. Does Europe beat its chest and throw Billions at another political compromise or buy FLRAA off the shelf (or licence build it)?
We've sold our soul to the FMS system and I think we may regret that in years to come. We're dependent on the U.S and importantly the leader of it and his/her goodwill.
If Puma is replaced it will be an LH product. A basic Merlin keeps the most of UK money inside the UK. 189 is the traditional FAL and keeps Italy happy. I want a solution where UK PLC benefits and not the U.S or Italy.
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If Puma is replaced it will be an LH product. A basic Merlin keeps the most of UK money inside the UK. 189 is the traditional FAL and keeps Italy happy. I want a solution where UK PLC benefits and not the U.S or Italy.
