October 19, 2002 at 10:56 am
I was reading that the USMC are now looking at up dating their Hevy lift capabilities, which would involve a new type of chopper alotgether. They don’t feel comfortable with the idea that an Upgraded CH-53E is what they are looking for.
Here’s a thought, srap the CH-53’s and buy Mi-26’s this will provide a supreme capability over the so called heavy lift of the CH-53 after all the Halo is the Biggest troop carrying helicopter ever (Except for the Mi-12). the only problem I can see is the Americans buying from the Russians- not really a done thing is it? Anyway with the amount of Russian made equipment being used in the US armed services maybe they might just go for the idea. And IIRC, three CH-53’s equal one Mi-26, so they could reduce their opperational inventory as a cost saving measure but still maintain the current level of capability.
Give me coffee and no-one gets hurt!