US Army chooses Blackhawk replacement

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  • Basher

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    As a heli pilot myself:

    Powered lift aircraft (the category things like the V22 and V280 fit in to) are cool as hell. But a suitable replacement for the Blackhawk it ain’t!

    -It’s much larger and thus can’t fit into tight LZs like the -60 can.
    -It’s more complex (which is saying something when you’re comparing it to a heli!).
    -It can’t autorotate (engine failures in powered lift aircraft are essentially controlled crashes), which is a HUGE negative in my book.

    It has some real positives, but IMO a tilt-rotor should not be the sole replacement for a traditional helicopter. Time will tell how things play out!
     

    Basher

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    Hadn't thought of that; kind of takes it out of the controlled crash category I'd think.

    I spoke with a guy who was a V22 pilot. They essentially fly it into the ground like a plane if they have the ability to gain enough forward airspeed. If not, they’re kind of SOL, which I’m not a big fan of lol.
     

    Usmccookie

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    I spoke with a guy who was a V22 pilot. They essentially fly it into the ground like a plane if they have the ability to gain enough forward airspeed. If not, they’re kind of SOL, which I’m not a big fan of lol.
    I was aircrew on the mv22. They can glide... kinda. Big thing is having 2 engines and the midwing gearbox. Very rare to lose an engine, rarer to lose both.
     

    Basher

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    I was aircrew on the mv22. They can glide... kinda. Big thing is having 2 engines and the midwing gearbox. Very rare to lose an engine, rarer to lose both.

    Right, it’ll (kinda) glide if it has enough airspeed. If it doesn’t, it’s a brick. And if the nacelles are full forward, it’s going to be a rough landing when the rotor/blade tips hit first.

    And I agree that failures are rare, when everything goes to plan. My understanding is that when you’re getting shot at, that plan changes second to second and rarely in your favor, lol.

    Anyway, the future should be interesting!
     

    Usmccookie

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    Funny how developmental problems are what is remembered. Current operational history seems better doesn't it?
    And most of the casualties were on a single incident... it was human error. Fadecs got screwed up. Otherwise, much safer than most aircraft.
     

    HoughMade

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    The Blackhawk will be around for a long time in various roles. They call it a "Blackhawk replacement", but more like a replacement for the Blackhawk in many roles, but probably not all. There will probably be another "standard" helicopter added before the Blackhawk phases out. They already have the UH-72. It's lighter, but can do many things they use UH-60s for now just because they have them.

    The UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) remained in service for over 35 years after the UH-60 started being used. My first flight in a helicopter was in a Huey where the pilot thought it would be cute to make all the newbies sick....and scared for their lives flying around with both doors open playing "Tour of Duty".

    Oh, and the tilt-rotor doesn't bother me...it's that Bonanza "dentist killer" V tail ;).
     
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    Hawkeye

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    The Blackhawk will be around for a long time in various roles. They call it a "Blackhawk replacement", but more like a replacement for the Blackhawk in many roles, but probably not all. There will probably be another "standard" helicopter added before the Blackhawk phases out. They already have the UH-72. It's lighter, but can do many things they use UH-60s for now just because they have them.

    The UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) remained in service for over 35 years after the UH-60 started being used. My first flight in a helicopter was in a Huey where the pilot thought it would be cute to make all the newbies sick....and scared for their lives flying around with both doors open playing "Tour of Duty".

    Oh, and the tilt-rotor doesn't bother me...it's that Bonanza "dentist killer" V tail ;).
    My nephew-in-law (retired CW5) was an apache pilot. I asked him about the Lakota (UH-72). He was not impressed with it. Not really sure where it fits in. Not as capable as the Blackhawk. Can't really do the job of the Kiowa or Iroquois but its trying...
     

    indykid

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    I was aircrew on the mv22. They can glide... kinda. Big thing is having 2 engines and the midwing gearbox. Very rare to lose an engine, rarer to lose both.
    Both rotors are connected by a common gearbox driven by both engines but if one engine fails the gearbox can drive both rotors with just the remaining engine. Not enough power to hover but enough to make a safe landing.
     

    Usmccookie

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    Both rotors are connected by a common gearbox driven by both engines but if one engine fails the gearbox can drive both rotors with just the remaining engine. Not enough power to hover but enough to make a safe landing.
    Yea, well technically there are 5 gearboxes that connect both rotors and engines. If you push interim power you can make enoigh lift for a safe c.a.l... confined area landing in vtol. But you're right in most cases hovering can be accomplished, but not recommended.
     
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