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   Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:51 JST Viking Chieftain

   in reply to

   • Joe Sticker
   • Isaac Ji Kuo

   @isaackuo @joesticker

   I think you're right. Until the EU establishes a military, the US will be the driving force when it comes to military adaptation of cutting-edge technology.

   • NeonPurpleStar :heart_bi: likes this.
   • Embed this notice
     Isaac Ji Kuo (isaackuo@spacey.space)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:52 JST Isaac Ji Kuo

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @VikingChieftain @joesticker

     Still, I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing an X3 configuration troop helo. The big problem is ... where's the buyers? The US Army just closed out its competition and other than the US Army, who is looking to buy a bunch of high performance military troop helos?

     Uhh ... no one? So that's why RACER is a civilian chopper.

     Maybe a Dauphin based X3 type helo could be useful for some navies, but the "problem" is that the Dauphins they have are pretty good already.

   • Embed this notice
     Isaac Ji Kuo (isaackuo@spacey.space)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:53 JST Isaac Ji Kuo

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @VikingChieftain @joesticker

     The technology wasn't ready for the Army competition, and anyway neither of the (USA) based competitors had experience with it yet.

     However, the basic technology is easy for any existing conventional helicopter company to adapt. The side props are really just like tail rotors, just with the shafts going out to the sides rather than to the rear.

     The X3 itself was not an optimized design, but rather a modification of their Dauphin helo.

   • Embed this notice
     Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:55 JST Viking Chieftain

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker
     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @isaackuo @joesticker

     I had to look up Eurocopter X³. 🙂 It was just a demonstrator. It's been replaced by another experimental concept called Airbus RACER (Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft). Until they come up with a mass-produced alternative to the Osprey (and soon the Valor), it's just the European version of the T-14 Armata. It exists, but it's as rare as a Kadyrovite on the front line.

     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_X%C2%B3
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_RACER

   • Embed this notice
     Isaac Ji Kuo (isaackuo@spacey.space)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:56 JST Isaac Ji Kuo

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @VikingChieftain @joesticker

     For example, the Eurocopter X3 configuration is more compact, able to land and launch in tighter spaces even than the equivalent tail rotor helo.

     It's also no taller than a normal helo, which is a problem for counter-rotating props.

     It has fewer moving parts so it's almost the same maintenance as a normal helo.

     The winglets are never blocked by tilt-rotors, so they can mount missiles, rockets, and guns.

     But still, it's not stealthy either.

     2/2

   • Embed this notice
     Isaac Ji Kuo (isaackuo@spacey.space)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:57 JST Isaac Ji Kuo

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @VikingChieftain @joesticker

     I think the Eurocopter X3 (and Airbus RACER) is a more promising configuration. It's like a conventional helicopter, but with two props to the sides rather than one tail rotor. In hover mode, one of the props thrusts in reverse so the pair act like a tail rotor. But in forward flight they both thrust forward, for superior efficiency and speed.

     Compared to tilt-rotors, the X3 configuration is almost as fast and greatly superior in other aspects.

     1/2

   • Embed this notice
     Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:39:59 JST Viking Chieftain

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker
     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @joesticker @isaackuo

     The Bell V-280 Valor will be interesting to see when it enters service. Helicopters are definitely evolving into hybrids. 🙂

     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_V-280_Valor

   • Embed this notice
     Joe Sticker (joesticker@mastodon.nu)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:01 JST Joe Sticker

     in reply to

     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @VikingChieftain @isaackuo it will also be interesting to see how airborne units will evolve with bell v-280 valor

   • Embed this notice
     Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:02 JST Viking Chieftain

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker
     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @joesticker @isaackuo

     And now they got V-22 Ospreys, which increases the speed of inserting troops.

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     Joe Sticker (joesticker@mastodon.nu)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:04 JST Joe Sticker

     in reply to

     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @VikingChieftain @isaackuo I think so too. We didn’t see it in the first gulf war when there was air superiority. Instead I believe the future are small teams operating behind enemy lines.
     One thing to remember is that the introduction of helicopters wasn’t made until after ww2. So they didn’t really have many options at hand.

   • Embed this notice
     Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:05 JST Viking Chieftain

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker
     • Isaac Ji Kuo

     @isaackuo @joesticker

     Absolutely. Inserting units behind enemy lines will always be part of warfare. But doing mass drops à la Operation Overlord and Operation Market Garden is something of the past.

   • Embed this notice
     Isaac Ji Kuo (isaackuo@spacey.space)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:06 JST Isaac Ji Kuo

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @VikingChieftain @joesticker

     Airborne operations were always something only used in special circumstances, so I really don't think we can say much of anything about its future.

     In particular, Russia does not have to deal with a 100 mile wide strait in between itself and Ukraine. In those circumstances, it may be impossible to assault beaches laden with mines and defenders.

     Paratroopers might be the only way to get past those defenses.

     1/2

   • Embed this notice
     Viking Chieftain (vikingchieftain@krigskunst.social)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:07 JST Viking Chieftain

     in reply to

     • Joe Sticker

     @joesticker

     Parachuting may be a thing of the past in future conflicts, but airbourne units will be with us. It's just their primary means of entry into the battle zone that may change.

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     Joe Sticker (joesticker@mastodon.nu)'s status on Sunday, 15-Sep-2024 23:40:09 JST Joe Sticker

     Are paratroopers dead?

     In the war in Ukraine, there have been discussions about the future of the main battle tank. But perhaps the same could be said of airborne units. Apart from the Battle of Hostomel airport, I have not heard of any airborne operations in the invasion of Ukraine. Traditional airborne units are meant to operate behind enemy lines. But in this war, they seem to be used mostly in frontal assaults.

     What is the future of airborne units?
     #Ukraine #military