From The Department of Redundancy Department

Haven't we done this once already? Did they not write all that stuff down when they did it the first time?



From Danger Room

The Speedhawk was funded by the Army to test the possibility of pushing existing helicopters to reach speeds up to 200 knots (360 kilometers per hour).

Anyone remember this? I mean besides me...

Specifications: Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne
Dimensions:
Length: 60.04ft (18.30m)
Width: 25.92ft (7.90m)
Height: 13.78ft (4.20m)
Performance:
Max Speed: 245mph (395kmh; 213kts)
Max Range: 629miles (1,013km)
Climb Rate: 3,420 ft/min (1,042 m/min)
Ceiling: 25,997ft (7,924m; 4.9miles)
Structure:
Accommodation: 2
Hardpoints: 4
Empty Weight: 11,718lbs (5,315kg)
MTOW: 16,995lbs (7,709kg)
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x General Electric T64-GE-16 turbine engine generating 3,435hp.

From Military Factory.com

The Cheyenne was built in 1967 so maybe the dog ate the homework or something. There was also a Lockheed experimental compound helicopter known as the XH-51.

From WIKI

Lockheed began developing its rigid rotor concept with the CL-475 helicopter design in 1959. The choice of a rigid rotor meant that the helicopter was more agile than it would have been with a flapping rotor. The performance of the CL-475 encouraged Lockheed to seek further development. Lockheed submitted the CL-475 to the Army as a candidate to replace the OH-13 Sioux and OH-23 Raven helicopters. Lockheed also tested the commercial market waters without success. However, in February of 1962, Lockheed's Model 186, a new design based on the CL-475 rigid rotor, was selected as the winner for a joint Army-Navy program to evaluate the rigid rotor for high-speed flight capability.[1]

Two four-seat, three-bladed XH-51As were ordered and built for the program. Powered by the 550 shp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-9 turboshaft engine, XH-51A (serial number 61-51262) first flew on 2 November 1962. As flight testing progressed, the original three-bladed, rigid rotor system demonstrated instability at higher speed ranges. Lockheed engineers solved the problem by modifying the aircraft with a four-bladed rotor system. In 1963, the Army's Technology Research and Evaluation Command (TRECOM) contracted with Lockheed to modify one of the XH-51 aircraft into a compound helicopter.[2]

The second XH-51A (serial number 61-51263) was subsequently converted by adding wings with a span of 16.1 ft (4.9 m), and a 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) Pratt & Whitney J60-2 turbojet engine mounted on the left wing to increase performance. The XH-51A Compound first flew without powering up the turbojet on 21 September 1964,[2] while tests were conducted for balance and handling. The aircraft's first flight as a true compound helicopter took place on 10 April 1965.[3] and on 29 November 1967 achieved a speed of 263 knots (302.6 mph, 486.9 km/h).[4]

So I guess the real question would be what are we proving or are we re-inventing the wheel...again?

Thanks to reader Kath...

For leading me to this BLOG, called Daniel's Big Trip, it's the diary and thoughts of former AH-64 pilot who lost his arm in a crash in Afghanistan, who's now on a trip across the USA.

He has a post up about "the nickle ride". That is the first ride anyone who goes through flight training receives. It's a nickle ride because it isn't graded and it only costs you a nickle like the mechanical horse outside the H.E.B..

The first flight you take in flight school is commonly known as the “Nickel Flight”. This is because it is ungraded, reminiscent of the little nickel rides in front of a grocery store, and a way for underpaid instructor pilots to make a little money on the side. That first day we met our instructor pilots, mostly a crusty bunch of ex-Vietnam guys who have more time preflighting than I had years on earth. My guy however was a mid thirties former Blackhawk pilot named Jim (we used his last name, but I’m leaving that out.) Jim was a laid back guy with a good healthy perverted sense of humor, and I knew we’d get along just fine. Also along was my “stick buddy” who is the person you learn to fly with. The helicopter we learned on was the TH-67 Bell Jet ranger, painted in bright orange colors to let all who gaze upon you know that you are a danger in the skies, and to avoid you at all costs.



The day starts with some classroom time, and Jim takes a bit to ask us some questions about the helicopter and its’ emergency procedures. We’d spent the last two weeks learning all there was to know about the working of this bird and I knew there was nothing I could be caught off guard about. The one thing they didn’t teach me that I quickly mastered was “the blank stare” which I gave a lot those first few days. Apparently there was a lot I didn’t know or remember… After a while Jim got tired of asking Amy and I random questions about such complicated things as “how does the helicopter fly” only to be greeted with said blank stare, so we headed out to the flight line. The helicopters are parked all over the airfield in nice neat lines, and the most junior pilots get the ones farthest away, so we got the keys and logs and headed to our steed.

For the rest click HERE.

My experience was the same but different. In 1987 when I went through, ALL of the instructors were Vietnam Vets. I was lucky enough to get a guy named Leyland. His personality can be best illustrated by his favorite expression, "What are you trying to do, kill me?" and his technique for impressing the need for a rapid cross check of the instruments by banging me on the flight helmet with a pointer and then motioning to the instrument panel and saying, "attitude, airspeed" over and over again.

There wasn't a day that went by, until I took my Primary phase check ride (over 50 hours of flight training at that point), that I wasn't worried that by the end of the day I would be on the bus headed to FT Benning to become an 11B (infantryman). As I was what was called in those days high school to flight school (even though I had two years of college they still called us that...I guess community college to flight school just didn't have the same ring to it), I didn't already posses a skill (like the prior service Warrant Officer Candidates) so if I flunked out I was at the mercy of Uncle Sugar. As if I needed more motivation.

Somehow I made it through...even though it was uphill both ways to class, and we had to walk...in the snow ...in Alabama ...because it was harder when I went through.

Nurture versus Nature

Sorry I'm late getting to this one from the Military Motivator website.

Anyone who went through Army flight school in the late 80's can tell you about AO Vanguard and places like LZ Bush. Word spread quickly among the students that if during your LZ hopping experience, you navigated your way by certain places down by the Pea River, you might be able to see certain things. It was sort of a carrot to the IP's stick if you will.

As far as I know there were no similar incentives for the lady pilots and BlackHawk drivers amongst us...sorry. :-)

The Great HH-47 Debate

I have no dog in this fight. But I do find the on-going squabble about the viability of the CH-47 Chinook as a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) platform somewhat interesting. Today, I found an interesting piece on this continuing debate HERE. There's even more HERE and finally HERE.

It's interesting to me at least, that the loudest voices against the CH-47 have never flown it, while I'm sure they could positively identify it correctly 9 out of 10 times. Here's a sample of what passes for reasoned debate on this subject...

...I’m not sure what happened with CSAR-X, but the scuttlebutt has it that General Brown and the Army C-47(sic) lobby got to the USAF—perhaps a quid pro quo for LCA, for Predator orbits, who knows. But, it was a very, very odd selection and choice. You should see the pictures of C-47(sic) brownout compared to the other two, both of which have specific rotor designs that cause a “doughnut” of clear ground around the chopper that would actually help a rescue by obscuring the helo and the downed pilot from the enemy if they were close-by.

…The C-47(sic) decision seems odd, because somehow the old C-47(sic) mafia (including Brown) somehow got their way at the 11th hour (the C-47(sic) wasn’t even a competitor until late, which also has an aroma about it)...

I don't know about you but I wasn't aware that a Gooney Bird could hover...is there nothing those airplanes can't do? If a person is so lazy that they can't get the designation of the aircraft they are complaining about correct how the hell am I supposed to take anything they say seriously? So we're to believe that the selection of this aircraft was solely based on some backroom deal involving UAV's , a fixed wing transport plane and some unmentioned pictures of the secretary of the Air Force with barnyard animals?

NASA R4D AKA... C-47

Finally there is this puzzleing statement from an AFSOC veteran...

I think the bigger issue is who flies helos? If the Army flies them then we should expect that they will be misused and shot down more often. Simple matter of different cultures, training and what kind of competency the crew has…

First of all, I'm kind of stoopid being in the Army and all, but I think I've just been insulted. Second if you stop and look at total hours flown, since day 1 of this thing losses per airframe hour are quite small especially considering the environment the aircraft are being flown in (11 AH-64s lost to enemy action in 5 years of combat (source FLIGHTFAX)). And third, I seem to recall that the USAF came begging to the Army in the 90's taking every Warrant Officer who would come to fly their helicopters for them...half the Pave Low pilots in the USAF right now are former Army Aviatiors (I may be a bit off on that last one...but what the HELL, I was on a roll). Finally talk to the operators and ask them who they would want to fly them on a pitch black night, I'm sure the answer you'd get rymes with Nightstalkers...and those aren't Air Force dudes. Remember you started it, un-named AFSOC guy.

People can talk about the suitability of airframes all day long, and that's fine...it should be done. But it serves no purpose at all to start inter-service warfare in a time of armed conflict...these boobs need to get out more often. Ultimately I want what I would hope everyone involved would want, the best aircraft for the mission...we'll see if that happens.

JOB ONE...

From the latest Crossed Sabers available
HERE

By Sgt. 1st Class Rick Emert
1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Many a Soldier has seen an AH-64D Apache fly overhead and wished they had had that guy’s recruiter. As Army jobs go, helicopter pilot ranks right up there with astronaut on the cool-job scale. But, ask an Apache pilot what the highlight of his days in Iraq are, and it’s not the Apache’s firepower or even flying that gets them juiced. “Ultimately, we support the ground guys. If they need our support, that’s our top priority,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Terry Eldridge, an Apache and maintenance test pilot from Company B, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade,1st Cavalry Division. “That is the most satisfying thing that we do – going out and supporting the ground forces,” echoed Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daryl Hosler, Apache pilot and aviation life support equipment officer for Company B, 1-227th, from Placerville, Calif. While responding to troops in contact with the enemy may be the money mission for the pilots, they perform a wide range of essential missions in the Multi-National Division - Baghdad area, including reconnaissance, VIP flight escorts, convoy escorts and presence missions.

For the rest of the story and others see this WEBSITE

The only reason we fly is for those guys on the ground...if we can possibly be there for you we will be...count on it.

World's Largest Distributor of Automotive Parts

One of these days they will learn not to double park...

2/10th MTN, 1 ACB kill IED emplacers


Saturday, 09 June 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RELEASE No. 20070609-12
June 9, 2007
2/10th MTN, 1 ACB kill IED emplacers 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division (LI) PAO Multi-National Division – Center PAO
AZ ZAIDON, IRAQ – Apache attack helicopters engaged and destroyed an improvised explosive device emplacement team near Az Zaidon, Iraq, southwest of Baghdad, June 7.
The IED emplacement team was observed preparing a site, emplacing, and covering the IED by an unmanned aerial vehicle at about 10:30 a.m.
The UAV, controlled by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, continued surveillance of the team until AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade arrived at the scene.
As the sedan was moving away from the IED site, the Apaches engaged the sedan with a rocket, killing the two occupants and destroying the vehicle.
The Az Zaidon area is known as a safe haven for al Qaeda and as a step-off point for launching attacks into Baghdad.
-30-
FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT
MND-CENTER_PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114

Rocket Launchers Destroyed...now with Video

Direct from the Multi National Forces Iraq-You Tube page...




These are the rocket launchers referenced in the press release from the 3rd of JUN...see below. Or go HERE to read the whole thing.

More News...

Here's a couple of stories you'd have to look for to find...
Check out more HERE

Helicopters conduct air strike
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070605-03
June 5, 2007

Helicopters conduct air strike
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

KALSU, Iraq — Coalition aircraft conducted precision air strikes against anti-aircraft weapons northwest of Iskandariyah June 4.

An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from the 4th Squadron, 227th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion was providing aerial security for ongoing operations when Paratroopers spotted an anti-aircraft artillery piece not far from a house they were raiding.

The helicopter destroyed the artillery piece with two missiles to prevent it from being used against the Iraqi or Coalition Forces in the area.

In the last three days, the Paratroopers and the 227th ARB have destroyed seven anti-aircraft weapons.

-30-

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT MND-CENTER_PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MILThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN 318-822-7482 OR COMMERCIAL 912-767-4114

SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA LEADER, 17 OTHERS DETAINED
Tuesday, 05 June 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.270.0320 / 0299

June 5, 2007
Release A070605b

SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA LEADER, 17 OTHERS DETAINED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 18 suspected terrorists in raids targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Tuesday morning based on information gained from previous successful operations.

North of Taji, Coalition Forces captured an alleged key leader in the Rusafa vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network. Coalition Forces also detained another suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist on the scene.

Based on information from a suspected terrorist detained May 29, Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda facility manager who operates a safe house southwest of Tarmiyah.

In Mosul, Coalition Forces raided two buildings and detained two suspected terrorists, one of whom is allegedly the assistant to a senior terrorist leader captured May 29.

During continued operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Anbar province, Coalition Forces conducted a raid on four associated buildings northeast of Fallujah. The ground force detained 13 suspected terrorists for their association with a cell that carries out attacks against Iraqis and Coalition Forces with VBIEDs, snipers, and mortars, and targets Iraqi infrastructure.

“Our continuing operations are frustrating al-Qaeda in Iraq’s ability to operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We are targeting them, detaining them, and they in turn are giving us information to disrupt the networks further.”


-30-


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER at: cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS VISIT WWW.MNF-IRAQ.COM.

And finally this one...from HERE

Thanks Reuters. I did a google search and it appears to be the only news service picking up this story...I guess it isn't important with rich spoiled socialites get sprung from jail early.

By Ross Colvin Reuters - Monday, June 4 07:44 pmCAMP ANACONDA, Iraq (Reuters) - Three U.S. helicopter crews were honoured on Monday for bravery under fire for coming to the aid of a helicopter that was shot down, killing 12 soldiers in one of the worst crashes of the Iraq war.

The Black Hawk transport helicopter was brought down on January 20 north of Baghdad as it was ferrying troops on a routine run to the capital. The military's top medical officer in Iraq and two other senior officers were among those killed...

...The helicopters landed and deployed the troops they had been carrying to set up a perimeter around the downed aircraft until Apache attack helicopters arrived on the scene. ...

Chief Warrant Officer Jerry Sartin, the pilot who led the rescue, received the U.S. military's fourth-highest decoration, the Silver Star, while three others received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the rest received Air Medals...

For the rest of this article please go HERE

Sikorsky goes...

BACK TO THE FUTURE...

Check out the picture in the upper right corner above...it's Sikorsky's vision of a "future" compound attack helicopter capable of flying speeds of nearly 300 kts.

Funny thing is we had one of those in the late 60's and early 70's, and it was called...

the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne...great scott Marty! Hop in the Delorian, we've got some time travelin' to do.

H/T AV Week's Blog...ARES

Here's Something You Don't See Every Day

AH-64 versus Lotus...