Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship AOPS

[Uzlu]

weren't we the first to land these giant helicopters on little ships?

Yes.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Buckingham_(K685)#Postwar_service

 

[Good2Golf]

No way can a CH-148 carry a Mk48 (on a weapon station - slung, maybe)...you mean 46?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

You can probably load a 48 on a 148 ... as long as you are not planning on taking off.  ;D

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Twice the weight of a WWII Type 91 aerial torpedo.

 

[Czech_pivo]

No way can a CH-148 carry a Mk48 (on a weapon station - slung, maybe)...you mean 46?

Yes.....my passion once again comes to the forefront of my knowledge and understanding.....

So the answer is basically 'no', the CH-148's will not ever be used for ASW work and be fully armed with MK-46's, on an AOPV.

Can I ask this question?  Why not buy another 8 or 9 CH-149's and arm them with some door guns and station them on the AOPV?  Use them exclusively on the AOPV, for ice berg nav, SAR, transport, etc, instead of rotating CCG helo's and Ch-148's on and off the AOPV's.  We already are equipped with the CH-149's and I think that we are actually ordering a few more now.  Add to that order another 8 or 9.

 

[Stoker]

Yes.....my passion once again comes to the forefront of my knowledge and understanding.....

So the answer is basically 'no', the CH-148's will not ever be used for ASW work and be fully armed with MK-46's, on an AOPV.

Can I ask this question?  Why not buy another 8 or 9 CH-149's and arm them with some door guns and station them on the AOPV?  Use them exclusively on the AOPV, for ice berg nav, SAR, transport, etc, instead of rotating CCG helo's and Ch-148's on and off the AOPV's.  We already are equipped with the CH-149's and I think that we are actually ordering a few more now.  Add to that order another 8 or 9.

Costs is the biggest factor, we can do anything we want with enough money.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Considering the number of lesser naval vessels we will have that our helicopter capable. It makes sense to purchase a number of Cyclone helicopters without the ASW suite for all the other tasks. Even if it means reducing the number of Griffons flying. We are going to need more Maritime helicopters in the future, just not for ASW work.

 

[Cloud Cover]

That would be the H92 SuperHawk airframe, but I have a feeling that the Cyclone has completely different electronics and machinery, even without the ASW and surveillance kit installed.

https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/superhawk/

 

[Colin Parkinson]

In a perfect world we would have them setup to accept the ASW suite with as little modification as possible, what it would do is reduce flight hours on ASW airframes and give us spare airframe that could be fitted out with ASW to replace a crashed or damaged airframe.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Feb 21 the "keel" is laid for AOPs #3

 

[Dale Denton]

Considering the number of lesser naval vessels we will have that our helicopter capable. It makes sense to purchase a number of Cyclone helicopters without the ASW suite for all the other tasks. Even if it means reducing the number of Griffons flying. We are going to need more Maritime helicopters in the future, just not for ASW work.

I like the thought. Sikorsky has introduced new variants of the H-92 (I know its not the same) as well. Perhaps a medium-lift tactical utility version?

What would the adv/dis of hypothetically moving the Griffon to almost exclusive SAR/medevac work and move over to a utility CH-148 for everything else? Same as others use the Superpuma for?

 

[Dale Denton]

Another thought (brain cells must be working this yr), has there been any thought to have AOPS variants?

Perhaps an elongated version that you could land a Chinook on or make into a mini LHD or to fit 2 Cyclones/Griffons? Make a niche capability (icebreaker) into more of a niche - icebreaker LHD?

 

[Cloud Cover]

An enhanced Elint/SIGINT ship could be useful. I don't think I would trust Irving to make an LHD ship that is designed to flood, it might lower itself right to the bottom.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Engines installed on AOPs #3

 

[Colin Parkinson]

More bits join the centre block of AOPs #3

 

[Swampbuggy]

Along with the bow of BROOKE.

 

[Navy_Pete]

Seeing the accuracy control folks at work with the modules is pretty cool.  There is very little tolerance for misalignment on all those pipes and other bits and pieces, so pretty impressive when it all fits together.

 

[Loachman]

Even if it means reducing the number of Griffons flying. We are going to need more Maritime helicopters in the future, just not for ASW work.

Current demand already outstrips availability. What do you want us to stop doing? We could use more Tac Hel right now as well as in the future.

What would the adv/dis of hypothetically moving the Griffon to almost exclusive SAR/medevac work and move over to a utility CH-148 for everything else?

Disadvantages:

Limited cabin space for medevac, especially if self-defence weaponry is mounted. USAF CSAR uses two HH60, both with two GAU-21 .50 cals and preferred to take no more than one patient each, in Afghanistan. They provide their own integral escort capability. US Army uses a single unarmed UH60 with AH64 escort for medevac.

Griffon has limited range and carrying capacity (weight and room) for SAR.

CH148 would be a little large for the escort role. I am also not a fan of the European concept with larger utility machines. To me, the US Army doctrine has always made more sense, and was proven long ago. For agility and survivability, I'd rather have more UH1Y/UH60-sized machines carrying fewer troops each than fewer larger machines carrying more troops each.

Advantages:

None come to mind.

Perhaps an elongated version that you could land a Chinook on or make into a mini LHD or to fit 2 Cyclones/Griffons?

For what purpose? And neither Griffon's nor Chinook's blades fold (practically, at least - which is why "we" elected to blow a lot of money to build large hangar additions to fit Griffons, after considering various nutty proposals). This "elongated" AOPS version would need a pretty big hangar for a Chinook, or two Griffons.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

One option would be to have one leased helicopter and crew on the Astreix to provide logistical support to the fleet and to ahore.

 

[Good2Golf]

One option would be to have one leased helicopter and crew on the Astreix to provide logistical support to the fleet and to ahore.

Come on, Colin, that’s the mark of an immature, small Navy...certInly no 1st world blue-water Navy would consider such a crazy idea...




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