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Post by corsair67 on Apr 15, 2012 13:28:53 GMT 12
And the NH-90 can't carry a LAV - so that's another reason they're no bloody good - and things are even worse, especially if they can't carry a LAV in snowy conditions! ;D Surely there'd be no need to carry a LAV as they can only operate from formed roads anyway! And only then when it's not raining! ;D
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chasper
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 80
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Post by chasper on Apr 16, 2012 19:46:37 GMT 12
The AW 101 Merlin uses the same powerplant as the NH 90 (3 rather than 2 obviously) and is classed as an all weather helicopter, wonder why the '90 doesn't qualify? Am assuming that this is purely an engine issue as per the Auditor General's report.
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Post by beagle on Apr 30, 2012 21:49:11 GMT 12
Was just reading the latest Air Force News and saw nh90 02 on the front and what appears to be pylons fixed in place. Am I right that or is it something else I cannot see properly. I did see a similar front on image in the thread for ohakea images and they wern't fitted there. Have we got a set or not and are they fitted in that image on the front cover. ??
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Post by 30sqnatc on Apr 30, 2012 22:10:03 GMT 12
And the NH-90 can't carry a LAV - so that's another reason they're no bloody good - and things are even worse, especially if they can't carry a LAV in snowy conditions! ;D What, there is no toilet on board. Next you'll be telling us the only food they carry for the passengers are peanuts!
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Post by saratoga on Apr 30, 2012 22:34:27 GMT 12
Was just reading the latest Air Force News and saw nh90 02 on the front and what appears to be pylons fixed in place. Am I right that or is it something else I cannot see properly. I did see a similar front on image in the thread for ohakea images and they wern't fitted there. Have we got a set or not and are they fitted in that image on the front cover. ?? The one on static display at Ohakea airshow had the pylons fitted.I thought they'd look great with a rocket pod on! The comment from the air force bod in the nh90 was that as and when money came available they'd be making use of the pylons.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 30, 2012 23:03:12 GMT 12
Beer keg attachment?
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Post by saratoga on May 1, 2012 17:40:13 GMT 12
Chateau chabilis, no doubt...
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Post by beagle on May 1, 2012 22:00:25 GMT 12
4 AGM114's either side would be nice
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 3, 2012 17:39:12 GMT 12
I don't think this was posted here, from last week: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1204/S00168/on-the-nh90-helicopter-debacle.htmOn the NH90 helicopter debacleThursday, 26 April 2012, 1:38 pm Article: Hugh Webb How wonderful it would be if all the generals were as astute as the Auditor General. I applaud her for her candour over the Defence selection of the NH90 helicopter (which may well turn into a white elephant). There is, however, a much bigger picture as to how this may have happened. If we step back to Helen Clark’s premiership and examine a few facts, the plot thickens considerably. There were several manipulative stratagems put in place by Clark to achieve pacification of the armed forces in keeping with the anti-military leanings of the Helen Clark, Richard Northey, Jim Anderton, Fran Wilde, Trevor Mallard, and Mark Burton cabal. The first five of these politicians were those that sandbagged David Lange over the USS Buchanan visit. The most significant ruse followed Helen Clark’s 2001 direction that the State Services Commissioner would oversee the selection of the new Defence and single service chiefs “to keep the selection process at arms length.” As soon as a politician makes a statement like that, alarm bells should ring, just as they did when Jim Bolger said: “There is no corruption in New Zealand.” On the face of it this was well intended, but if you dig a little deeper you can work out that using SSC would allow government specifications to be inserted into the selection process that had other than military purposes. In the event, the selection of CDF reached down two ranks, bypassing more senior competent officers who were more eminently suited to take up the appointment. Both the new CDF and the new CAF were helicopter pilots and I understand that the latter was a very good one. Now, take this in the context of Helen Clark’s intention to dismantle the RNZAF Strike Wing. To select a fast jet pilot would not do at all, even though the prime function of an air force is to have a strike capability. To cement this all in place, the government approved the purchase of very expensive and untried helicopters; just as they agreed to buy very expensive and less than useful light armoured vehicles for the NZ Army. One does not have to be too cynical to assume that Helen Clark chose to blow the entire Defence capital equipment programme on equipment that would never find its way into a combat situation. No doubt those who justify these programmes will say what wonderful work is being done by the newly blunted NZ armed forces. There is no doubt that individual units perform to the best of their professional ability, given the misdirection of defence. Indeed, the Maritime Wing has always performed with distinction. However, it would appear that all concerned at a political level have forgotten the ten principals of war (which are universally accepted by other nations). The first and foremost of these is: “Selection and maintenance of the aim.” Another is: “Offensive action.” To defend a country all three services must be capable of offensive action. This means strike aircraft, fighting ships, and armoured attack vehicles (if you expect a land war). Light armoured vehicles are useful only if you buy the right ones. NZ did not. For a maritime nation such as ours, the air force and the navy must be up front with a coordinated strike capability. With huge areas of sea to cover, the RNZAF could (with suitable strike aircraft) cover long distances very quickly. However, while the air force cannot board ships, the navy can and that is where they work together. The army is also needed, but not equipped with non-amphibious top heavy and vulnerable light armoured vehicles. Helicopters are always very expensive to operate and even attack helicopters such as the Apache are only effective in an air superiority environment. That environment is provided by strike aircraft. Helicopters are expensive because the entire power-train including blades, hubs, masts, shafts, and gearboxes are finite-lifed and must be replaced with new parts after a specific number of hours service. I do not believe that workarounds mooted for the NH90 problems will be operationally effective and without problems such as additional weight penalties. By establishing our defence aims first, one would quickly conclude that helicopters should not be prioritised at the expense of furnishing an air strike capability. ************* Squadron Leader Hugh Webb, RNZAF (Rtd), defence commentator, is a graduate of the RNZAF Command and Staff College (now reorganised and shifted to Trentham). Hugh is currently resident in the UK, but has had articles and many letters published in national dailies and Scoop between 1990 and 2008.
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Post by saratoga on May 3, 2012 18:16:12 GMT 12
interesting.
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Post by meo4 on May 3, 2012 18:26:32 GMT 12
That article was bang on the money. Would be good if they formed a Martime aviation wing formed out of 5 and 6 squadrons which would coordinate with Martime components .
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Post by richard1098 on May 3, 2012 19:15:24 GMT 12
Just how basic a helo was the NZDF to buy? Is anything less than an NH-90 or UH-60 going to be something that could actually be used in a conflict of any intensity, as apposed to peace keeping or civil support?
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2012 20:06:55 GMT 12
I thought the NH90 was top of the line isn't it?
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Post by richard1098 on May 3, 2012 20:43:35 GMT 12
I thought the NH90 was top of the line isn't it? Helos like EH-101, CH-47, CH-53 are certainly bigger. I'm pretty sure anything smaller than NH-90 or UH-60 (Tiger, AH-64, AH-1 aside) is essentially a commercial utility helo, perhaps with limited "militarisation".
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2012 20:47:14 GMT 12
I didn't mean size. But I would have thought it's one of the most advanced TTH on the market, other than the Osprey.
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Post by richard1098 on May 3, 2012 21:01:32 GMT 12
I didn't mean size. But I would have thought it's one of the most advanced TTH on the market, other than the Osprey. Yes, it's new and current state of the art - hence the issues that are currently being worked out. It's a helo at the start of its lifecycle, unlike the UH-60 which is getting towards the end of its time in the sunshine.
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Post by mumbles on May 17, 2012 23:23:12 GMT 12
************* Squadron Leader Hugh Webb, RNZAF (Rtd), defence commentator, is a graduate of the RNZAF Command and Staff College (now reorganised and shifted to Trentham). Hugh is currently resident in the UK, but has had articles and many letters published in national dailies and Scoop between 1990 and 2008. Just caught up with this and the name more than rings a bell; we used to hang out with the Webbs all the time when we were kids .
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Post by phil82 on May 18, 2012 5:57:07 GMT 12
I don't think this was posted here, from last week: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1204/S00168/on-the-nh90-helicopter-debacle.htmOn the NH90 helicopter debacleThursday, 26 April 2012, 1:38 pm Article: Hugh Webb ************* Squadron Leader Hugh Webb, RNZAF (Rtd), defence commentator, is a graduate of the RNZAF Command and Staff College (now reorganised and shifted to Trentham). Hugh is currently resident in the UK, but has had articles and many letters published in national dailies and Scoop between 1990 and 2008. My old buddy Hugh...a contempory of mine and still in touch with him in the UK...was once known as the unofficial editor of the NZ Herald! I attended the shorter RNZAF Command and Staff Course, and left it absolutely clear I wouldn't be coming back by presenting myself at the mid-course interview fully dressed in borrowed motor-bike gear with the bike warming up outside! Fortunately the "boss" and I went back a bit, so I still passed!
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Post by ngatimozart on May 18, 2012 10:51:50 GMT 12
I don't think this was posted here, from last week: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1204/S00168/on-the-nh90-helicopter-debacle.htmOn the NH90 helicopter debacleThursday, 26 April 2012, 1:38 pm Article: Hugh Webb ************* Squadron Leader Hugh Webb, RNZAF (Rtd), defence commentator, is a graduate of the RNZAF Command and Staff College (now reorganised and shifted to Trentham). Hugh is currently resident in the UK, but has had articles and many letters published in national dailies and Scoop between 1990 and 2008. My old buddy Hugh...a contempory of mine and still in touch with him in the UK...was once known as the unofficial editor of the NZ Herald! I attended the shorter RNZAF Command and Staff Course, and left it absolutely clear I wouldn't be coming back by presenting myself at the mid-course interview fully dressed in borrowed motor-bike gear with the bike warming up outside! Fortunately the "boss" and I went back a bit, so I still passed! Really good article. I'll have to pass that on.
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Post by beagle on May 19, 2012 17:21:32 GMT 12
So when is the beast due to cross the strait and visit us............
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