The helos are not for "our" troops. What kind of an opinion poll are attempting to do? That particular type of helo was designed to perform in Afghan. For you fox morons with no military background...and there are too many....Three conditions are critical to helo performance: 1. Altitude of environment. 2. Temp of environment. 3. Humidity of environment. Referred to as the three H's. Height, heat, and humidity. After that it is solids in the air such as sand, grit, etc.
It is for that reason that America has few helos suited for that environment. It is for that reason that the UH-60 Blackhawk is not the helo of choice for Afghanistan. It was designed for environments OTHER than Afghan....where the altitudes are lower, warmer, and greater humidity. Such as tropical areas or Euro areas.
It is also for that reason that the Afghan "assault" helo has been the CH-47 Chinook. It was designed as a Cargo Helo hence the "CH"-47. But its engines are powerful enuff that it can perform (barely) in the Afghan environment on most "good" days. However, the drawbacks are that the "load" commonly referred to as PAX (passenger maximum) falls substantially. So even for cargo loads must be reduced. It is nothing less than a stop gap effort when cargo helos must be used in assault operations which is what the workhorse Chinook has been used for. Nonetheless the PAX is lowered to the point where the manpower it carries is only slightly better than our Blackhawks.
It makes good sense to supply the Afghans with the best helo available. Besides that fact, the Afghans have a training history with the Mi-17 which is readily available in large numbers although a bit pricey. But then the Russians know they have a good chopper and a cash spending buyer.
You FOX morons are so weak on military experience. I was an Army Airborne Pathfinder with the 1st Ranger Battalion and know of what I speak...unlike most of your listeners who are totally without a military background.
Now, back to your FOX propaganda machine.
Sean - 14 years ago
These helos are for the Afgans, not our troops. They're familiar with their operations, and their inexpensive and they're available. Can we meed the maintainence, availabilty, and training requirements for the same price?
Shawn from Maryland - 14 years ago
Buy Russian helicopters? What's wrong with American helicopters!!
The helos are not for "our" troops. What kind of an opinion poll are attempting to do? That particular type of helo was designed to perform in Afghan. For you fox morons with no military background...and there are too many....Three conditions are critical to helo performance: 1. Altitude of environment. 2. Temp of environment. 3. Humidity of environment. Referred to as the three H's. Height, heat, and humidity. After that it is solids in the air such as sand, grit, etc.
It is for that reason that America has few helos suited for that environment. It is for that reason that the UH-60 Blackhawk is not the helo of choice for Afghanistan. It was designed for environments OTHER than Afghan....where the altitudes are lower, warmer, and greater humidity. Such as tropical areas or Euro areas.
It is also for that reason that the Afghan "assault" helo has been the CH-47 Chinook. It was designed as a Cargo Helo hence the "CH"-47. But its engines are powerful enuff that it can perform (barely) in the Afghan environment on most "good" days. However, the drawbacks are that the "load" commonly referred to as PAX (passenger maximum) falls substantially. So even for cargo loads must be reduced. It is nothing less than a stop gap effort when cargo helos must be used in assault operations which is what the workhorse Chinook has been used for. Nonetheless the PAX is lowered to the point where the manpower it carries is only slightly better than our Blackhawks.
It makes good sense to supply the Afghans with the best helo available. Besides that fact, the Afghans have a training history with the Mi-17 which is readily available in large numbers although a bit pricey. But then the Russians know they have a good chopper and a cash spending buyer.
You FOX morons are so weak on military experience. I was an Army Airborne Pathfinder with the 1st Ranger Battalion and know of what I speak...unlike most of your listeners who are totally without a military background.
Now, back to your FOX propaganda machine.
These helos are for the Afgans, not our troops. They're familiar with their operations, and their inexpensive and they're available. Can we meed the maintainence, availabilty, and training requirements for the same price?
Buy Russian helicopters? What's wrong with American helicopters!!