Ladies,

does anyone know what happened to the Comanche Project? they pulled the plug on the development right? how about the V22? i know this is a few months too late after the news broke out but... the last thing i heard was that while the hawks are up for improvements and they sacked the comanche...

someone enlighten me!!!! pleeeeeease!

The Comanche was cancelled simply because it was already obsolete. It was designed as a stealthy recon chopper that will act as the eyes of the Apache heavy hitters. Problem is, the Cold War threat of Soviet tank columns stretching to the horizon disappeared with the Iron Curtain. Besides, it's a hell of a lot cheaper in terms of hardware and personnel to send UAVs to take a peek at the enemy lines.

Last I heard the V-22 is still undergoing rigorous tests. The Marines and Special Forces need a fast V/STOL heavy lifter. No chopper can compare to the speed and range of the V-22 because choppers are limited by the physical forces on their main rotors. This technology is in demand now more than ever because of surgical strike missions and quick assaults.

They plan to replace pavehawks with this one, right? with complete blade folds and all as one of its advantages...

but isn't the comanche supposed to replace the apache and due to be commissioned in 2006?

The Comanche is waaayyy to expensive IMO. UCAVs and UAVs are more cheaper and cost effiecient,also, they save lives.

As for the V-22 Osprey, I think it will put through. It's mobility and flexibility may match the capabilities of a Harrier (V/STOL) but only for transport purposes.

The Comanche wasn't meant to be an Apache replacement. Rather it was meant to be a Kiowa replacement. Loading a Comanche with an Apache's full combat load will nullify the Comanche's stealth characteristics because it will require installing winglets to carry the ordinance. Making something stealthy also takes a lot of man hours making sure that no doors are left open and all screws are tight among other things.

The Comanche's competition during the design phase of the program was a heck of a lot cooler. It had no tail rotor and it utilized air pumped through the tail to counteract the torque of the main rotor. It looked like an evil flying stingray.

Bell LHX Concept


More here: http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/mcdonnell_lhx-r.html

The V-22's wingfold sequence puts the Mercedes SLK's roof-hiding mechanism to shame. First the V-22's rotors/propellers are folded inwards. Then the nacelles are rotated to the horizontal position. The whole wing then rotates clockwise 90 degrees until the left nacelle is right over the cockpit and the right nacelle stops right before the vertical stabilizers on the tail. The V-22 when folded up is not much wider than the common transport chopper.

More on the Osprey: http://people.howstuffworks.com/osprey.htm

would v22 have some functions similar to that of a longbow's? longbows are used for recons and attack as well, or are they not?

as much as ospreys technologies are more advanced, the mechanical compensations must be quite great as well, isn't it?

I think not. It is very big. Plus, it's size is as big as an AC so it would be a very good target. Leave the recon to the UAVs. I believe in Iraqi Freedom, they used the Predator, a UCAV for recon ops...

One good thing with the cancellation of the Comanche: The Discovery Channel's programming has become much better and more varied, with all the Comanche "sales brochure documentaries" pulled out with its cancellation! Hehehehehe!

SR's right. The V22 will never be used as a recon platform. It's too big and complicated. It might be quieter than a chopper but those huge rotor blades will still kick up a storm.

now, wouldn't that be nice for a target practice!??? :-) :-)

as cargo, how would it compare to the giant crane(hind), then?

The Hind can carry up to eight troops on top of the assault weapons it usually carries. It can also carry reloads for those weapons so it doesn't have to go back to base to get more ammo.

The Osprey can carry up to 24 troops or a jeep with a trailer. It doesn't carry any weapons for now. Maybe soon it'll be equipped with 50 cals for self defense.

ei, that's great... are there braille scale osprey kits available kaya? hehe. naintriga ako eh.

i actually have an apache on standby. but i haven't started with it yet... i just might add this one as well...

oh yeah... the HIP 9... it's another mi-8/17 variant, right?

Hahaha... ayos din yang Hip na yan. Cute sya.. parang Flying Banana.

Go here. Check out the techie info of the Osprey and also the Hip.

The Osprey is available in 2 sizes, 1/48 and 1/72 both by Italeri. 2 versions of the 1/48, the prototype one and the operationg one (a rebox of the prototype, they say it almost have the same contents as the original, only the markings differ).

BTW, may nakita ka nang Hip na kit??

wala nga eh... been looking for it for quite some time now...