[Jabberwalker]

In fairness, it was a campaign promise - and one of the few he kept.

Yeah ... set up by idiots like Svend Roberson and their hysterical ATTACK HELICOPTERS nonsense. The Canadian public really doesn't give a damn if truth be told. They are quite happy to hand off all of their national security to the care of another country. We're still pathetic colonials, after all.

[saturn_656]

bootlegga bootlegga:

I seriously question the need for such big helicopters AFTER the Cold War has ended and the threat of submarine attacks are so low.

The Cyclone is meant to be a jack of all trades helicopter that can fulfill multiple roles (ASW, Troop Transport, SAR, etc.). Either we buy 28 jack of all's or we buy a greater number of smaller, more specialized helicopters.

Take your pick, but given the very limited number of spots for helos in a Canadian Naval Task Group most would probably pick the larger CH-148 or EH-101 helicopter.

[bootlegga]

saturn_656 saturn_656:

bootlegga bootlegga:

I seriously question the need for such big helicopters AFTER the Cold War has ended and the threat of submarine attacks are so low.

The Cyclone is meant to be a jack of all trades helicopter that can fulfill multiple roles (ASW, Troop Transport, SAR, etc.). Either we buy 28 jack of all's or we buy a greater number of smaller, more specialized helicopters.

Take your pick, but given the very limited number of spots for helos in a Canadian Naval Task Group most would probably pick the larger CH-148 or EH-101 helicopter.

Based on the current geopolitical situation, we don't need to have large jack-of-all-trade helos. The NH-90s, for example, can fulfill all those roles, just not all at the same time. Let's face it, unless a war starts, odds are our helos will be used for SAR and/or humanitarian relief. Everything else is a 'just-in-case' scenario, and with our limited budget, maybe it's time to accept that we can't afford huge helicopters.

As I've said before, many NATO nations are going for smaller helos on their small ships and those with larger vessels like carriers and/or amphibs (Italy, UK, France, etc) are buying a mix so they can deploy both large and small types.

[llama66]

GreenTiger GreenTiger:

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Meanwhile in the USA we're still flying B-52 bombers that are older than the fathers of many of their current pilots. And the B-52 may well end up being the first military aircraft to stay in service for 80 years when it is finally and completely retired.

They do a very good job though, They are a credit to Curtis LeMay.

The B-52 is the single most badass bomber in history.

[llama66]

I wish the Cyclone would press into service already, did the Liberals order them in the very early 2000's? With an R&D lead in like this the Cyclone better use anti-gravity and phasers.

[QBall]

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

This is a testament to the personnel in our Navy who have not only have kept these flying dinosaurs going for decades longer than their design parameters...

The Sea Kings might be carried on ships however they are flown and maintained by members of the Air Force.

[Jabberwalker]

QBall QBall:

Jabberwalker Jabberwalker:

This is a testament to the personnel in our Navy who have not only have kept these flying dinosaurs going for decades longer than their design parameters...

The Sea Kings might be carried on ships however they are flown and maintained by members of the Air Force.

Kudos to all of our forces ...

You are all experts at making bricks without straw.

[DrCaleb]

GreenTiger GreenTiger:

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Meanwhile in the USA we're still flying B-52 bombers that are older than the fathers of many of their current pilots. And the B-52 may well end up being the first military aircraft to stay in service for 80 years when it is finally and completely retired.

They do a very good job though, They are a credit to Curtis LeMay.

I didn't know who Gen. LeMay was, but for a second, I thought you meant W. R. May. B-52s would be a credit to him as well.

[Jabberwalker]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

GreenTiger GreenTiger:

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Meanwhile in the USA we're still flying B-52 bombers that are older than the fathers of many of their current pilots. And the B-52 may well end up being the first military aircraft to stay in service for 80 years when it is finally and completely retired.

They do a very good job though, They are a credit to Curtis LeMay.

I didn't know who Gen. LeMay was, but for a second, I thought you meant W. R. May. B-52s would be a credit to him as well.

Curtis Lemay was the quintessential cigar chompin', ex-fighter pilot, tough guy commander of SAC (Strategic Air Command) who built and maintained the U.S. nuclear bomber fleet of the 50's, 60's, 70's. Stanley Kubrick used bits of Curtis Lemay's persona here and there in Dr. Strangelove.