GarryB Fri Mar 29, 2019 7:29 am
so they want a transport helicopter similar to Blackhawk?
No. They specifically said can operate in highlands... the Blackhawk is fing useless and cannot operate in most places in Afghanistan, which is why the US had to supply their Afghan puppets with Mi-8s instead of using Blackhawks.
The Mi-24/-35 can already transport 8 people and fly in various conditions.
Indeed, so what they are after is a higher speed and better protected Hind.
2) No tilt -rotor for VDV then Suspect Suspect Suspect
High speed helicopter is a more conservative approach, and can be cashed in more easily... high speed helicopter technology can be directly applied to existing helos to improve performance much more easily than brand new potentially risky tiltrotor technology... a quad rotor might be balanced but the twin rotor system involves balancing on a bicycle at some stage every landing and every takeoff...
VDV wants IVF
??
New armour technology using ceramics and light weight armours from light vehicle designs should allow improvements in protection for the troops... coaxial rotor design and high speed helo design should free up some weight in terms of tail rotor design and reduced wing size to allow RWS turrets... perhaps rear and side entry doors for rapid getting on and off from three directions with gun positions in the front and rear corners providing firepower protection...