Certainly basic carrier capability needs to be mandatory to give maximum utility to a small fleet of helicopters.Tempest414 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2022, 12:28There are loads of roles for a RAF AW-149 fleet on top of a AAC AW-149 fleet and I can see some need for a weapons package for Aw-149 I would also make the RAF AW-149's carrier capable allowing them to beef up the FCF leaving the AAC to get on and support the ArmyLord Jim wrote: ↑30 Jan 2022, 21:53 What role would the RAF AW-149s have that the AAC ones cannot do? As for the Wildcat, it has become a worthy successor to the Gazelle in the Recce Role and in supporting the Apache. The AAC has a wish list of additional capabilities they would like on their Wildcats, most already fitted to the FAA version. The H-135 may have a role as a communication platform replacing existing helicopters as a suggestion for the RAF helicopters but they would only need ten or so to fulfil that role. I would give all the AW-149s to the AAC and have them take on the roles of support units in Cyprus and Brunei. I also favour having the AW-149s able to be armed with weapons in additions to any Door Guns to provide a capability that would compliment the Apache and allow the AW-149s the ability to operate in areas of risk when Apaches are not available.
Manual folding blades, warship compatible avionics, tie down points and suitable corrosion treatment.
As is widely known, Puma was dangerous to operate regarding shipborne ops in anything bar the most benign conditions, or war service when safety concerns are 'relaxed' as they say.
It's top heavy design made it potentially extremely dangerous on a pitching platform.
I'm also broadly in favour of an armament package to allow self escort when needed, specifically regarding SF use.