Best replacement for the Alouette

Oooh it's wish list time again...

[Lurk]

The key to this thread is whether any new helicopter will be bought to replace the roles of the Alouette 3, rather than the Alouette 3 itself. When that is decided, a choice can be made. My own view is that no new model helicopter could replace the Alouette, as there are no similar aircraft on the market today.

If any could, it would be something like the EC 145. It could provide similar capacity in troop movements, ambulance, winch capability, and single pilot operation.

Imshi refers to the DoD and the EC 135. Have a look at the inutile pleasure craft here. http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/ec_135/  .
I believe that "inutile" is not an accurate description of that aircraft. I agree however, that neither it, nor the military version are a runner in duplicating the role of the Alouette 3.

Why not putting the AH-64D on the list.
The RNLAF is about to sell 6 of them.
Anything for the IAC '>??


Guinness

I see aal of you thinking of relative "small" helicopters.
Why is the Puma, Cougar or CH-46D not an option for the IAC.
The Canadians e.g. are using the chinook for SAR.
They can be used for troop transport and many other things.

Maybe I'm missing a point here but this kind of Helicopter sounds perfect to me for a country as Ireland.

Guinness

Hey Guinness.

Welcome to the site. I'm guessing where you got your link to here, and we appreciate the interest. I've met some of your countrymen (if I'm right) and they are all great guys. Again, if I'm not mistaken, a squadron in your location changed from Alouettes to AH64. We do not require the same level of combat heli. The AH 64 is a regiment airframe. It works best in large numbers that we cannot afford and joe taxpayer is unwilling to support. They have no other use than combat and we are traditionally a peace support nation. You can place the AH weapons on lots of cheaper frames that can also do utility, SAR, air ambulance etc and save money for airborne frames. Nice suggestion tho!

I see aal of you thinking of relative "small" helicopters.
Why is the Puma, Cougar or CH-46D not an option for the IAC.
The Canadians e.g. are using the chinook for SAR.
They can be used for troop transport and many other things.

Maybe I'm missing a point here but this kind of Helicopter sounds perfect to me for a country as Ireland.

Guinness

[Silver]

After doing a bit of research into the topic, I voted for the EC635.
A multi-mission heli with armed capabilities.


EC635 equipped with 20mm canon.

[Silver]

You're right Guinness, we need larger helis.

However, at present the plan is to replace the Alouette/Gazelle/Dauphin fleet with a single type of utility heli, AND to purchase circa 6 x 'Medium Lift Helis' (e.g. Cougar, EH101...) aswell.


.....thats if our defence department will ever 'get a move on'  

[Silver]

It's a pity that the people who voted for 'Other' don't actually list what their choice would be  '>

(Except Guinness who opted for the AH64D that is).

I see the 635 is getting a lot of interest. It's just a pity that there is no 645 (yet). Not enough interest I suppose. I still reckon that the S70 / UH60L would be a good compromise now that the SAR role is no longer an issue. Forget your two types and keep just one type with more frames available. I think the army will really have to drive the purchase of a replacement over 4 tonnes, but at least the Minister acknowledges that we could be of use to troops overseas. There is a lot of behind the scene work on-going to improve the tactical knowledge and skills of the pilots with a view to this happening in the not too distant future....wait out. It may get rather noisy in the various mountains / bog regions of the country in 2004.

[Turkey]

Silver, I forgot, alright!!!
Over on 'tudder site, they have suggested Agusta/Bell 212's, that seems to make a remarkable amount of sense.

[Silver]

No worries, Turkey. You are forgiven '>
Nice of you to drop in !

Seriously though, there is some merit in the Bell 212 argument.
But why go secondhand when all the indications are that new machines are what the DoD has in mind ? (whenever they get the finger out that is !).

[n-e-foo]

I like the Bell 412 because it would be useful for overseas deployments, the Canadians use(d) it in Kosovo. However.. the problem with this list and with all lists i guess is: We don't know exactly what roles the air corps themselves have in mind for an A3 replacement.

Is supporting overseas deployments viewed as part of the future? If not what roles are light heli's to have in the Air Corp? Is SAR a responsibility... Is air ambulance a requirement?  Troop transport of course but will this be the main requirement?

We need to know all this before we can make any kind a judgement. If the air corps are to provide troop transport in the future on EURRF/UN missions then as I said I'd plump for the Bell 412.

[Imshi-Yallah]

Because the DOD is intent on buying inutile pleasure craft like the 135 instead of desperatley needed lifters.