Internationale Helicopter ontwikkelingen

[Mourning]

Ook tanks zijn gigantisch dure/complexe machines. En APS werkt wel soms tegen een ATGM, maar niet tegen APFSDS oid. Een salvo ATGM wordt ook moeilijker.
Heli's zitten in hetzelfde schuitje natuurlijk. En Ukr is niet helemaal vergelijkbaar, want de heli's die zij hebben zijn echt oud en verouderd. En toch presteren ze het om een belegerde stad te bereiken (Mariopul) en om op de frontlijn te vliegen.
Ook de Russen blijven de heli's gewoon inzetten.

Je zit ook met een tijd-afstand probleem. Een heli is een klein deel van de mix om dat gat te vullen. Hoe voller je toolbox, hoe beter.
Of een land als Belgi? het moet willen hebben, misschien niet, want daar heb je direct verdringingseffect. Dat Japan er vanaf stapt vindt ik zelf wel echt dapper.
Denk dat ze spijt krijgen.

Ik snap het ook niet van Japan, want gevechtsheli's lijken mij bij uitstek zeer geschikte middelen welke je kan gebruiken om vrij snel te verplaatsen en in te zetten bijv. om een vijandelijke landing (iets waar ze in Japan rekening mee houden v.w.b. China) te kunnen bestrijden en/of om bevriende troepen te ondersteunen en/of te ontlasten. Ook bij mogelijke uitzendingen, iets wat ik ze in de toekomst nog wel zie doen, een competent middel voor diverse taken.

[Stoonbrace]

Is natuurlijk op alles van toepassing.
En moeilijk om iets over te zeggen. Maar aangezien er een rol is voor heli s, is die er ook voor AH.
Anders dan vroeger, en zeker aangevuld. Maar zolang er geen AI gestuurd robotleger is, gaan die dingen gewoon blijven doen waar ze goed in zijn.

Ik vraag het me gewoon af. In tegenstelling tot bijvoorbeeld tanks (die zich deels wel kunnen wapenen tegen nieuwe bedreigingen door oa APS) lukt dat voor heli's een pak minder makkelijk. Als je ziet hoe en wanneer ze in Oekra?ne worden ingezet vraag ik me af of dat houdbaar/wenselijk is voor Westerse legers.

[Stoonbrace]

Misschien meer in een vorm van hit and run acties of echt onder dekking van jets en/ of luchtdoel raketten.

Je kan je afvragen of het dan nog wel nuttig is om ze als specifiek platform te hebben. Een vrij duur specifiek platform dan nog, waarvoor je evengoed een mix aan materiaal koopt die hetzelfde takenpakken waarschijnlijk beter en minder kwetsbaar kan uitvoeren (DF-platformen, loitering ammo en drones). Het nut blijft uiteraard in asymmetrische operaties, de vraag daar is wel hoe kosteneffectief ze zijn.

[mandaje]

Een mooie Europese lichte gevechtshelikopter, maar het is nog steeds geen Apache.

Het schijnt dat naast de Italianen ook de Hongaren, Roemenen, Algerijnen & de Duitsers interesse getoond hebben in deze heli. Van al die landen hoop ik dat de Duitsers verstandig genoeg zijn en dit keer kiezen voor een van de plank ontwerp : AH-64E. Hiermee zal de samenwerking met o.a. onze DHC alleen maar groter worden, iets wat voor beide kanten positief gaat zijn. NH-90, Chinook & AH-64 samenwerking.

Ik vind 7-8 ton MTOW geen lichte gevechtshelikopter. Bron https://theaviationist.com/2022/08/23/the-new-aw249-attack-helicopter-flies-for-the-first-time/
Misschien passen dezelfde motoren van een apache zelfs in de AW249.

[Parera]

In hoeverre zijn gevechtshelikopters zoals de Apache nog bruikbaar in high intensity warfare?

Misschien meer in een vorm van hit and run acties of echt onder dekking van jets en/ of luchtdoel raketten.

[Sparkplug]

In hoeverre zijn gevechtshelikopters zoals de Apache nog bruikbaar in high intensity warfare?

Verwacht dat onder bepaalde omstandigheden bij high intensity warfare nog steeds een rol is weggelegd voor helicopter gunships, gezien de verschillende uitvoerbare taken hiervan.

[Stoonbrace]

In hoeverre zijn gevechtshelikopters zoals de Apache nog bruikbaar in high intensity warfare?

[Sparkplug]

Het schijnt dat naast de Italianen ook de Hongaren, Roemenen, Algerijnen & de Duitsers interesse getoond hebben in deze heli. Van al die landen hoop ik dat de Duitsers verstandig genoeg zijn en dit keer kiezen voor een van de plank ontwerp : AH-64E. Hiermee zal de samenwerking met o.a. onze DHC alleen maar groter worden, iets wat voor beide kanten positief gaat zijn. NH-90, Chinook & AH-64 samenwerking.

Daarnaast ook met het Verenigd Koninkrijk en de U.S. Army in Europa. Er is praktisch geen verschil bij de AH-64E v6 van de afzonderlijke landen.

[Huzaar1]

Waarom zien europese helicopters er toch altijd uit als de ' onnozelen' van de helicopters die beschikbaar zijn/komen 

Vast prima ding verder.

[Parera]

https://twitter.com/Rotorfocus/status/1628428308047093760?cxt=HHwWgICzteO6q5ktAAAA

Een mooie Europese lichte gevechtshelikopter, maar het is nog steeds geen Apache.

Het schijnt dat naast de Italianen ook de Hongaren, Roemenen, Algerijnen & de Duitsers interesse getoond hebben in deze heli. Van al die landen hoop ik dat de Duitsers verstandig genoeg zijn en dit keer kiezen voor een van de plank ontwerp : AH-64E. Hiermee zal de samenwerking met o.a. onze DHC alleen maar groter worden, iets wat voor beide kanten positief gaat zijn. NH-90, Chinook & AH-64 samenwerking.

[Harald]

Seems the @Esercito?s new @LDO_Helicopters AH-249/AW249 is being named the #Phoenix or #Fenice. Two prototypes now flying, with official public unveiling in the near future, Army Aviation Chief tells #IMHelicon

https://twitter.com/Rotorfocus/status/1628428308047093760?cxt=HHwWgICzteO6q5ktAAAA

[Harald]

Philippine Army to buy Fuji-Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters from Japan

Max Montero on February 8 tweeted that, while the Philippine Army announced plans to acquire Fuji-Bell UH-1J Huey helicopters from Japan, it also showed interest to get at least 1 squadron of Fuji-Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters, which are scheduled for retirement from the Japan Self Defense Force service soon.



Sources confirmed that the Philippine Army team that inspected the UH-1Js also inspected the AH-1S Cobras and were interested in them should they be offered as a grant by Japan, Max Montero report. While "old", these were made in the mid-1980s to 2000, with the remaining units among those made in the 1990s.

Technically, these AH-1S are younger than the Air Force's MD-520MG Defender fleet. Also, these Japanese AH-1S also received Step 3 upgrades which actually make them AH-1F standard. A squadron of these would provide the Army the ability to conduct air support to its troops without relying on the Air Force. Max Montero assumes that the Philippines will get 6-11 AH-1S Cobras and 13-26 UH-1J Hueys.

Japan manufactured 89 AH-1S Cobras under license by Fuji Heavy Industries from 1984 to 2000. The type is used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and are Step 3 models, which are roughly the equivalent to the U.S. Army's AH-1Fs. The engine is the T53-K-703 turboshaft, which Kawasaki Heavy Industries produced under license. During the 2010s, Japan was examining options for procuring a fleet of new rotorcraft to replace its aging Cobras. In December 2022, the Japanese government decided to replace 47 AH-1S, 12 AH-64D, 33 OH-1, and 26 U-125A with unmanned aerial vehicles.

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/february/8895-philippine-army-to-buy-fuji-bell-ah-1s-cobra-attack-helicopters-from-japan.html

[Parera]

Iraq Wants To Ditch Russian Mi-17s For U.S. Helicopters Over Ukraine War-Induced Parts Shortage
Russia?s war in Ukraine has made finding Mi-17 spare parts hard and provided new impetus for Iraq?s broader helicopter modernization plans.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/iraq-wants-to-ditch-russian-mi-17s-for-u-s-helicopters-over-ukraine-war-induced-parts-shortage

Dit zou met snelle leveringen vanuit de VS wel eens een hele grote boost kunnen betekenen voor de Oekraiense strijdkrachten, Irak bezit:
- 41 Mi-17's
- 17 Mi-28's
- 23 Mi-35's [ +12 in bestelling ]
- 2 Mi-8's

[Harald]

Lockheed Martin live fire demo proves integration of Spike NLOS missile on AH-64E Apache

The Precision Strike team successfully fired two Spike NLOS all-up rounds (AURs) from the AH-64E V6 Apache on January 26, 2023, at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The successful live fire event verifies the Spike NLOS Long Range Precision Munitions Directed Requirement (LRPM DR) system?s integration onto the Apache platform and allows it to enter qualification testing.



"The successful integration of Spike NLOS on the Apache platform demonstrates Lockheed Martin's continued commitment to 21st century security solutions that help our customers complete their missions,? says Tom Bargnesi, program management senior manager of the Precision Strike team at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. ?The system?s expansion onto additional platforms, along with its mission-focused defense capabilities, ensures it will help the U.S. Army stay ahead of ready in an ever-evolving threat environment.?

The demonstration featured two Spike NLOS AURs firing from an Apache platform at a stationary target in two separate scenarios. The Spike NLOS system will begin testing to qualify the design for airworthiness release (AWR). Once AWR is awarded, the system will be fielded on the U.S. Army?s Apache Echo Model V6 platforms by September 2024.

To transform into a multi-domain force by 2035, the U.S. Army plans to modernize their future helicopter fleet with a Long Range Precision Munition (LRPM), allowing pilots to engage threats from safe stand-off ranges.

While defining their final requirements for an LRPM program of record, the Army has named Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) as the interim LRPM solution and will evaluate the system on U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopters. Lockheed Martin is teamed with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Ltd., the original manufacturer of the Spike NLOS missile, to provide the weapon for U.S. applications and to install the system onto the Apache platforms.

The U.S. Army will conduct a shoot-off later this year with selected vendors, including Lockheed Martin, to inform the LRPM requirements. Eventually, the LRPM program of record will be fielded on the Army?s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA).

Integration of Spike NLOS missile on Apache enables time-sensitive attacks

?Today, with a 32-kilometer range, Spike NLOS can conduct precision engagement from a safe stand-off distance,? Senior Program Manager Tom Bargnesi said. ?This, combined with the weapon?s electro-optical, imaging infrared seeker and man-in-the-loop control, makes Spike NLOS a true long-range precision munition.?

The interim LRPM contract award came after Lockheed Martin supported two Army Aviation demonstrations ? one in August 2019 and again in February 2021. For both events, Spike NLOS launched from Apache AH-64E helicopters and successfully engaged its targets. During the most recent firing, Spike NLOS prosecuted a stationary maritime target, positioned 32 kilometers away.

?Not only can Spike NLOS impact targets without line-of-sight, but its advanced rocket motor ensures the missile system approaches the target quickly, enabling time-sensitive strikes,? Bargnesi said. ?This is critical in combat operations when every second matters.?

Lockheed Martin first partnered with Rafael in 2012 to bring Spike NLOS?s unique capabilities to U.S. customers. The missile?s long-range and ?Non-Line of Sight? capabilities offer significant complements to the current lethal solutions of Army aviation platforms. Its man-in-the-loop control allows the user to ?guide? the missile to its target while receiving real-time video so soldiers can make critical targeting decisions, or even abort the mission, while the missile is still in flight. This also provides users with an in-flight awareness of the battlefield, even within GPS-denied environments.

Spike NLOS is integrated on a variety of ground, aviation, and maritime platforms, providing a stand-off capability to strike distant or geographically concealed targets outside of the direct line of sight.

https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2023-news-aviation-aerospace/february/8885-lockheed-martin-live-fire-demo-proves-integration-of-spike-nlos-missile-on-ah-64e-apache.html

[Harald]

Bell?s 360 Invictus Readies For Flight But Still Has No Engine  ( Het is nog wachten op de GE T901, dezelfde nieuwe motor voor de Apache )

Bell?s Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft pitch is ready for ground runs, but is waiting on its new General Electric engine to get started.



Bell?s 360 Invictus prototype has been disassembled, trucked from Amarillo to Fort Worth, Texas, and is being put back together in preparation for ground runs and a first flight this year, if all goes to plan.

The company?s pitch for the U.S. Army?s Future Attack Recon Aircraft, or FARA, is 95 percent complete and awaiting the GE T901 Improved Turbine Engine so it can begin ground runs ahead of a planned takeoff sometime in 2023. The engine is being developed by another Army office within the Future Vertical Lift effort.

When The War Zone was given a glimpse of Invictus on Jan. 27, it didn?t look 95 percent complete because it was being reassembled in the company?s hangar in Fort Worth. Many side panels were removed, revealing wiring and other internal components. Very apparent were bright orange wiring and boxes used for instrumentation only during testing and will not be included in the final production aircraft if it gets chosen by the Army.


During a walkaround of Invictus, the gaping hole where the engine will sit was readily apparent atop the fuselage just aft and to the left of the main rotor system. On the other side, the Pratt & Whitney PW207D1, the same engine Bells uses in the Bell 429, was installed as the supplemental power unit, or SPU. That engine provides an ?extra oomph? to get the helicopter up ? and perhaps beyond ? its 180-knot target speed. It also improves autorotation performance should the main engine fail, allowing the aircraft to coast to the ground with some supplemental power, according to Jayme Gonzalez, the 360 Invictus program manager.

Bell did not allow photos of the aircraft, as it was being reassembled and many of its proprietary internal components were visible. Program Manager Jayme Gonzales screened a video for reporters showing its partial disassembly in Amarillo, where Bell's plant is located. The rotor blades, rotor head assembly, tail rotor, and stub wings were removed before the remainder of the aircraft was wrapped in plastic and loaded on a flatbed trailer. A semi-truck hauled the helicopter?s main body to Fort Worth during what Gonzales said was one of the most nerve-wracking episodes of the development effort thus far. 

Bell did supply photos of the intact prototype from several angles while it was still in one piece in Amarillo. They show little that hasn?t already been revealed. The aircraft resembles a giant, black shark with a swishing tail, pectoral fins and a pointed nose that terminates in a sensor turret and a chin-mounted three-barrel chain gun on a shrouded swiveling mount.



The tandem-cockpit, single-main rotor helicopter sits on a tripod landing gear configuration with two wheels beneath its wings and one extending downward from the tail boom. The canted, open tail rotor configuration, which Bell favored for efficiency?s sake after initially proposing a ducted anti-torque system, is clearly visible.

On the left side of the main rotor assembly is a single inlet for the main engine. There is no inlet on the right side for the SPU. A single exhaust outlet for both engines is on the right side of the aircraft, behind the hump that houses the SPU. Both of those considerations are thought to be efforts to reduce the aircraft?s thermal signature, but Bell has not commented on the inlet-outlet configuration.

In one of the photos, the helicopter?s internal weapons stores ? one under each wing ? are open, showing twin Common Launch Tubes above a pair of Hellfire missiles.

At least externally, the aircraft looks complete. It even already sports its four flight-ready main rotor blades, according to Keith Flail, Bell?s executive vice president for advanced vertical lift systems. Still, it can?t get off the ground until General Electric delivers its powerplant.


General Electric's T901 engine in testing in March 2022.

Flail said the engine should be delivered in ?the spring? but would not further narrow the timeline.

?We continue to wait for engine from GE, the T901,? Flail said on Jan. 27 during a press tour of the company?s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters. ?Our understanding, because that comes as government-furnished equipment from the Army, is that we should see that in the spring. That's obviously a critical piece for us so that we can get it installed, have all the appropriate airworthiness blessings and certifications, if you will so that we can start out doing restrained ground runs here.?

The Improved Turbine Engine Program, or ITEP, is a 3,000-shaft-horsepower engine that should be 50 percent more powerful, use 25 percent less fuel, and last 20 percent longer than the GE T0700 engines currently in the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache. Aside from powering FARA, it will be a drop-in replacement engine for those aircraft. But achieving those performance goals has saddled GE with developmental headaches that have persisted even after the Army chose its T901 over the T900 made by a Pratt & Whitney and Honeywell team.

?Our understanding, again, because there's another program office within the Army that manages the engine program, is that ? they have a good resolution there in terms of getting us our hardware in that timeframe,? Flail said. ?We've continued to watch that in working with GE. For any given program, there's always something that's on the critical path ? one of the subcomponents that were driving the schedule.?

Fortunately for Bell, GE has supplied a 3D printed model of the engine. The gray-and-orange mockup of the powerplant sits next to the aircraft in its new hangar and was provided by GE to perform physical fit checks. Gonzalez said she and her team have performed every system check possible without the engine in place, including applying external power to the cockpit avionics, gearbox, and drive system functional testing. Much of that work is done in the 360 Invictus Systems Integration Lab, an exploded version of the entire inner mechanics and electronics of the aircraft hooked up to monitoring computers and a cockpit simulator.

Of course, flying is the ultimate goal. The Invictus is a competitive prototype going head-to-head with Sikorsky?s Raider X compound coaxial helicopter for FARA. Raider is sitting at Sikorsky?s flight test facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, in about the same state of completion, performing system checks and waiting on the same engine.

In this competition, it could be interpreted that Sikorsky may have a leg up on Bell because the S-97 Raider ? a very similar demonstrator aircraft that the Raider X is based directly on ? has been flying and gathering test data for years. However, Bell?s Invictus is a conventional helicopter, which the company has plenty of experience building.

As soon as the engine arrives, Both companies are spring-loaded to progress through ground testing and finally lose contact with the earth by year?s end.

?When you start turning rotors and burning gas and showing that the product is real, that's very significant,? Flail added. ?So we'll go from restrained to unrestrained ground runs onto first flight, ideally here in 2023.?

The Army already has chosen Bell's V280 Valor advanced tiltrotor as its preferred Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA, to eventually replace at least some of its H-60 Black Hawks. But FARA remains Army aviation officials' top modernization priority, as it still needs to truly fill the role vacated by retirement of the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout and more. In this case, there will be an official head-to-head flyoff between Invictus and Raider.

Whoever loses, the Army and the future of attack rotorcraft operations are all but certain to win.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/bells-360-invictus-readies-for-flight-but-still-has-no-engine