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USMC saying goodbye to CH-46 helicopters
The helicopter has been around since Vietnam, primarily used to transport Marines and drop off cargo. It is now being phased out and replaced with an Osprey, a faster helicopter/airplane. (www.10news.com) Mehr...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
The V-22 Osprey makes up in speed what the CH-46 Sea Knight lacks thus increasing combat effective range but there's simply no way it can get into and out of an LZ with the same agility as the helo regardless of the condition of that LZ. I can only speculate but I suspect the Marine Corps is reluctantly saying goodbye to this long serving and faithful helo not because they want to but because they have no choice. it's not practical for them to ask for both the V-22 and the CH-46, refurbished or new, given the usual budget constraints particularly for the Marine Corps. The price of one V-22 might buy several 46s and now so much money will be siphoned away by the fixed wing VTOL F-35 which would appear to have most of its developmental issues resolved with the Marine Corps beginning its Operational Evaluation of the airplane at Edwards AFB and the Canadians coming onboard to buy some of the airplanes.
Thus showing the relative value of the defense contractor's mission to that of the grunt in the mud.
I Remember seeing this helicopter maybe another model, but the soldiers were unloading a small Howitzer out of it, is the Osprey capable or doing the same? I'm not really a pro but a novice on the subject of helicopters, but I have always seen these flying out near El Paso Texas in the sky above McGregor Range all the time especially when they have War game's involving Ft Bliss and other Armed forces, I really hate to see them go.
The Marines have really fallen in love with the Osprey. I think they'll regret dumping the CH-46's if they ever get in another conflict with hot LZ's like in Vietnam. Ospreys can't get in and out quick enough.
wAS qUALITY rep in eastern US for Vertol Division and vouch for highest B0eing demands in both CH46 and Chinook helicopters. Kept up with combat changes and updates to highest prioriy. Both are GREAT aircraft and served our troops for many years. farewell SKYKNIGHT .
The ospray is to high tech -and way to slow to transition from fixed wing to rotor craft -and I worry that are guy's on the ground are go'in to be the one's to pay the high price of are ( the military ) decisions to phase out the great flying bus,