The CV-22 has a bunch of extra toys including Terrain Following Radar.
After the Air Force's experience with rushing the F-111A into SEA, they should learn not to rush into a combat zone too quickly with less than fully tested equipment.
Posted on 09/27/2007 7:27:46 AM PDT by Yo-Yo
A squadron of tiltrotors for the US Special Operations Command may enter service in Iraq far in advance of the type's planned in-service date of early fiscal year 2009.
The first deployment of Bell Boeing CV-22s may be accelerated to replace an ageing fleet of Sikorksy MH-53 Pave Lows currently used by air force special operations units for transport and search-and-rescue missions, US Air Force chief of staff Gen Michael Moseley said on 26 September.
The CV-22 could be deployed in "pre-initial operational capability" status to provide the vertical lift mission, he said, addressing the Air Force Association's annual convention in Washington DC.
The announcement comes as the US Marine Corps deploys its first squadron of MV-22s to Al Asad air base in Iraq, marking the type's first experience in combat 26 years after the acquisition programme was launched. The MV-22 achieved IOC status last year.
The air force has so far received six CV-22s, which are due to enter a six month testing phase in late October called initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E). It is not known if the air force plans to deploy the CV-22s before IOT&E is complete or immediately after.
Moseley described the plight of the MH-53 fleet, which has been waiting for the CV-22's delayed arrival in order to be replaced. An MH-53 that crashed in Iraq in mid-September was delivered to the air force in 1969, and has been traced back to having participated in the Mayaguez incident and the evacuation of the US embassy in Saigon in 1975.
The CV-22 has a bunch of extra toys including Terrain Following Radar.
After the Air Force's experience with rushing the F-111A into SEA, they should learn not to rush into a combat zone too quickly with less than fully tested equipment.
How about 20 years from now ?
Just how old are the Pave Lows that they need to replace them so soon?
It’s already been over 25 years. What’s a few decades more?
I read that a squadron of CV-22s were already on the way to Iraq and may have already arrived. I also read a military blog done by a marine stationed in SW Iraq that the medivac facilities on his base were being modified for use by CV-22s over a month ago. I think this article is behind the times.
The last line of the article says it all.
The Air Force was going to replace the Pave Lows with CH-47s for SAR, and CV-22s for Special Ops.
However, the CH-47 contract has been put on hold because of suspected bidding irregularities, so for the SAR role the Pave Lows will have to hang in there a bit longer.
The CV-22 was originally scheduled to begin combat service in 2009.
It is a machine built by men. Most of them will perform well, a certain percentage will crash or be shot down, but I doubt seriously that the military will “rush” them into service. IMHO
I think the Chinook would be good if you’re deploying to an already safe LZ. Pave Lows are good because you have a mini gun on the side in case you need it.
Yep.
Most human problems can be solved by the correct application of a mini gun in my experience.....(chuckle)
First deployed in 1981.
MH-53J/M PAVE LOW
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=117
Good tagline material!
You are correct.
This list of MH-53 Tail Number Histories shows that the newest MH-53 airframe was built in 1970. According to this list, the oldest airframe still in operation is tail number 67-14994. (The first two digits in the the tail number denotes the year built.)
The USAF currently uses HH-60s for SAR, so the CH-47 would be quite a step up in size. And they will have adequate defenses built in.
Oops, my bad. The newest Pave Low still on active service is 73-1652. Just barely broken in!
“Moseley described the plight of the MH-53 fleet, which has been waiting for the CV-22’s delayed arrival in order to be replaced. An MH-53 that crashed in Iraq in mid-September was delivered to the air force in 1969, and has been traced back to having participated in the Mayaguez incident and the evacuation of the US embassy in Saigon in 1975.”
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I would guess it’s about time.
This is USAF CV-22s.
Thanks for the info, I thought the date seemed recent but I didn’t know a better source.
I think this article is behind the times.
You're confused.
How am I confused? The article leaves the impression that the CV-22 MAY be rushed into operations in Iraq when, in fact, preparations have been underway for some time for the the imminent arrival of CV-22s in SW Iraq for some time, just as I commented. They aren’t being rushed, and they aren’t MAYBE being sent. The AF may be rushing to avoid being shown up by the Marines who seem to be way ahead on deployment of the CV-22.....
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