Posted on 08/22/2005 3:42:54 PM PDT by Paul_Denton
Report says Taiwan is conducting talks to buy US choppers.
NEW REQUIREMENTS: Taiwan is reportedly looking into upgrading its aging attack-helicopter fleet and has been talking to both Bell and Sikorsky.
AFP , TAIPEI
Monday, Aug 22, 2005,Page 3
Taiwan is in talks with US companies to purchase dozens of attack and transport helicopters and upgrade the AH-1W Super Cobra attack fleet serving the army, Jane's Defence Weekly said.
"Taiwan and Bell Helicopter-Textron have launched talks on co-manufacturing UH-1Y Huey light utility and AH-1Z King Cobra attack helicopters to fulfil Taipei's requirement for 35 and 30, respectively, of the aircraft," the London-based publication said in an article to be published on Wednesday.
Replacing
If the deals go ahead, the UH-1Y would replace part of the army's fleet of Bell UH-1hs, which are nearing the end of their service life after 32 years, it said. Bell is also proposing Taiwan's army upgrade its 63 Bell AH-1W Super Cobras, acquired in the 1990s, to AH-1Z configuration, the weekly said.
US-based Sikorsky is competing with Bell for the deals. The weekly said Sikorsky was proposing its UH-60 Black Hawk to replace Taiwan's UH-1H fleet.
Track record
Sikorsky also has a track record in Taiwan, whose navy operates two squadrons of Sikorsky SH-70C anti-submarine warfare helicopters acquired in the 1990s.
Competition
A third competitor is Boeing, which is proposing the AH-64D Apache Longbow to fulfil the attack-helicopter requirement.
"However, the company is still suffering political fallout after closing the door of its Seattle plant to Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu in August 2003," it said.
Lu had planned to visit the 747-400 production line following a 2002 order by China Airlines for 10 aircraft.
Low profile
Boeing was keeping a low profile in Taiwan, a source involved in the Apache negotiations told the weekly, and was reportedly "terrified of losing the China market."
The company's Taipei representative refused an interview request. This story has been viewed 667 times.
Hey no indian names..remember? PC101.
They need to contract for some cruise missles and some 1-2 megaton warheads.
heads up
OK, call them c-1, c-2 etc. like they were menu items at a Chinese restaurant.
I got news for you , boys, that you SHOULD be bright enough to figure out for yourself--you best start looking to buy some nukes instead of choppers because your choppers will do you no good once the Chicoms' nukes start flying.
Ping post #8.
I did not see your post when I posted #8.
We are correct. The choppers offer no deterent when the Chicoms are rapidly building up for tactical nuclear war.
Taiwan needs a strong mix of conventional and nuclear weapons. Like what Ronald Reagan did. Infact we need our 600 ship Navy back complete with the nuclear-armed ASROCs.
Yep, some cruise missles, a few deep-penitration MOBILE land-based nukes, and about 3 subs with medium-range ballistic/cruise potential.
Maybes some old 737s retrofitted so that they can hang some cruise missles off of 'em and leave one loitering 24-7, 365. (Why buy a B-52? Any old airframe would work!)
The red chinese, unlike the muslims, love their -ONE- child, so MAD will work.
Indeed, the ONE child issue in China will probably do more to stop their human-wave attacks than anything.
You're right. Account for all the contingencies. Nukes for a MAD policy, and conventional for the probability the ChiComs don't want to nuke that which they hope to reclaim.
This bird is awesome. Better yet, so much is compatible with its utility brother and the costs are manageable.
I bet in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, a AH64D is no better. All the advantages of the Longbow (killing tanks-mmWR) are useless in the type of battles we're in. Do you agree?
Red6
Best Targeting System
The USMC AH-1Z has the best targeting system developed for of any attack helicopter in the world. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and provides the longest range of any helicopter sight in the world, while providing the lowest jitter and highest weapons accuracy possible. In addition, it is a completely passive and automatic system, able to scan the battlefield without emitting radar that can be tracked. It can positively identify and track multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system. The excellent picture quality allows the pilots to clearly see and identify targets at long ranges; the ability to identify targets is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The TSS provides the capability to designate targets day or night at the maximum effective range of the weapons system.
Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System
An important functional element of the AH-1Z cockpit display is the TopOwl helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system. This helmet supports improved communication and reduces cockpit workload leading to improved mission effectiveness. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet currently available and in service, offering unparalleled supportability and the capacity of technology insertion as additional requirements develop. The TopOwl HMS/D combines both avionics functions with the aircrew life support and protection functions into a single unit.
More here: The AH-1Z
Thanks for the link and PDF file. Read them both.
(opinion)
No doubt that the "Z" model is a mean machine. Especially with the new ordinance we have. Thermobaric Hellfire’s, laser guided Hydra, special 20mm ammo etc.
What a lot of people don’t understand is that the load out matters too!
But then there’s another aspect that needs incorporated in the picture here. Our near complete real time digital battlefield. SA for enemy and friendly, communications/data links, targeting, etc can be done at a pace, precision, and in ways that is without comprehension to some. This greatly enhances the already high lethality of such systems as the AH1Z or AH64D.
The ONLY aspect where I think a Longbow has a significant advantage is in a massive mechanized type conflict. The Cold War type scenario which is possible in Korea. That’s when the mmWR with the Hellfire Longbow missiles, the 30mm chain gun with special AP ammo etc pay off.
The big kicker for the AH1Z though is the compatibility with older models and the UH1 for parts. This combined with its lower initial cost makes an AH1Z a highly cost effective machine compared to Longbow or Tiger. Lots of bang for the buck with comparable performance for all practical purposes!
I’d imagine there’s another aspect though. If you play internationally as Australia, Korea, Japan etc do, you’d be well served with this machine as well. The logistical tail of the US can support you; furthermore you are more likely to be able to support it with ease because of the commonality in components with the UH1 (Which many still use). Example: Afghanistan or Iraq today. Imagine if you’re the Aussie component and have the Tiger (they will have them soon) in Iraq and a simple small part breaks?
As an export Attack Helicopter the AH1Z seems like it’s an unbeatable deal.
Red6
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