On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 09:24:03 -0500, "Kevin Brooks"
wrote:


"John Cook" wrote in message
.. .
What will the US use?

There is obviously a operational need for an attack helicopter.

Which is what we have the Apache for.


How about licensed production of the Tigre!!

I don't think so. Why step *down* from the current Apache?
remember that the tiger comes in two versions, the antitank verison
and the combat support version. The two problems with the Tiger is
that its French and in the same class as the Cobra. so we would have
to pay big bucks to update it to fire US Weapons, when we could just
buy the Cobra instead. Saying this we should look for a helicopter
that can do combat support (escort,recon,A/A) saveing the apaches for
the heavy in your face fighting.

IMO whats going to happen is that we are going to put a stripped down
version of the commanche into service, minus all the crap that dosent
work/dont need, and with a change in the skin material of the aircraft
to make it alot cheaper. Then reincorporate the technology when it
becomes workable.

Or we could take a Cobra and incorporate the Comanches technology into
it.




I can't imaging the Apache being current in a very few years, not
without major upgrades...

It is being upgraded. A models are being rebuilt as D models. D models will
receive suitable upgrades as needed. What we *need* are new light utility
helos for the ARNG, and this requirment has already been mentioned as a
possible destination for some of the previously planned Commanche funds.

Brooks


Cheers