January 30, 2008 at 7:21 am
I’m aware of the mission the aircraft is designed for. But is that mission realistic?
I mean there are other holes in the NCA, like the President being on his ranch/farm or fishing or at a state visit. And then his/her only instant connection is via mobile satcom terminal.
So what is the reason to build a pretty much complete C3 suite into these helicopters? And that for 6+ billion USD (no wonder, it is a complete redesign)! That Presidential BAE-Systems-Cadillac doesn’t have all that extensive C3 stuff either, and for the couple of minutes he/she realisticly spends in those helicopters does he/she really need the full C3 suite? And why are 23 VH-71 needed, when currently there are only 11/9 VH-3D/VH-60N?
Btw, will it have the folding main rotor of the AW101? [The lack of folding main rotors and the impossibility for precision-reattachment under expeditionary conditions is one of the problems facing a number of land based non-folding helicopters.]