Armed Dauphins

[Imshi-Yallah]

I heard during the summer from a fairly disreputable source that the Army/Air corps wanted to convert the remaining Dauphins to an army co-op role for the remainder of their flying hours (contingent on the Medium lift purchase).
As any sane person would do I took these stories with a pinch of salt, but I was intrigued to read that the USCG Dolphins have been succesfully test fitted with a door pintle for the M240B (US configured FN MAG) as part of a post 9/11 scheme to beef up the USCG's security capabilities.
I wonder could our underpowered Dauphin's carry out this role even for training purposes?

[IAS]

I-Y

Are our Dauphins really underpowered or is it just that with Winch/High Winds/Atlantic Conditions, they can't hover with one engine out?

I would have thought the the Dauphin could be "Pantherised" and make quite a decent assault transport (or even a ministerial run around/utility craft like the AIII)!

Off course another use for them, in a different world, would be as armed naval helicopter with AS15TTs (the Saudi's bought theirs, at the same time as we did, for this role) or other armed role (Cessna replacement).
 
Going back to the USCG, I thought our Dauphins were of a much higher spec than the USCG Dolphins (or have they upgraded theirs)?

IAS

[Imshi-Yallah]

The Dauphins are to be replaced by a cheaper light heli as the Air corps allegedly hate them, and the cost of upgrading the power plant is meant to compare unfavourably with purchasing a whole new airframe, the USCG have been upgrading theirs again recently, we were one of the early buyers and in typical Irish fashion never payed for any sort of upgrade...more money wasted.
If the state was serious about it's defence then, Panthers might be an option, but you should know by now that the light helicopter fleet is alwas going to be used as a substitute for the many valuable services the state has failed to provide such as air ambulance...somehting which disadvantages the DF because they evidently feel a moral burden to provide these services as long as no alternative exists.
At the time the Dauphins were bought they were a sop, in place of purchasing the already in operation Puma's.
If the state had forked out for 5 Puma's, Seven Panther's (Towo maritime) and two cheap training helicopters (or better yet leased Jetrangers/Bell 47s from the civil market) I honestly believe that the aircorps would have saved money in terms of maintenance and replacement, and generated massive returns in terms of capability and public/Humanitarian service, it would also have saved the lives of brave airmen.

[irishsamourai]

the dolphins are good for the INS ships ,if i  remember the INS ship has just a deck and no facility for maintenance on the Helicopters  ,for the use of weapon , it's not the best.
for the SAR , i think the IAC need 3 medium helicopters with sea radar , flir for the location in 2 bases.
For the army et civil duty , may be 9 light et 3 medium helicopters
 '>

[Imshi-Yallah]

Our one Helicopter patrol vessel (HPV) the Eithne is fitted with a hangar for maintenance, but the Puma which was already in leased service was too large for the over budget and overdue Eithne so legend has it they chose the Dauphin instead....of course they also picked the civil utility version which was never meant to do anything remotely more dangerous than fly people/goods from A-Z

[Lude]

Imshi,
these light helicopters you mentioned earlier that are going to be replacing the dauphins,have you any idea of the type?
A109's perhaps,Sean Quinn's lovely A109(EI-SQG i think) is after buzzing the house!They certainly are extremely versatile aircraft.
About the USCG dolphins,I heard that the american versions with their lycoming engines I believe,were unreliable and underpowered.I was talking to a dauphin pilot at the time,but it was a while ago!

[Irish Marine]

Not to rub it in, but some of the State Police agency's even have them.  The USCG have found them useful in chasing down drug runners down in Florida but I dont know much about the type of problems they have with the aircraft.

I do think the next time that the Irish Aircorps buys new aircraft they should look into all the upgrades. A good deal would be for the Irish government let an Aircraft company set up shop in Ireland, and have reps on stand by to deal with aircraft problems.  

 

[Imshi-Yallah]

The EC-135 (not 635 military trainer) light twin is currently favoured but I'd be surprised if they were replaced by the end of the decade, the tasks of the light Helicopter fleet aren't really military (apart from some insanely brave SAR) but the IAC is afraid to give up these tasks which it sees as its only lifelines in a state that is hostile to its existence

[Irish Marine]

I think the Dauphins, need to be revamped with all the latest equipment. I would like to see new Dauphins ordered soon!!!
The chances of that taking place are very slim, sadly. '>