Post Am1x2zM82McXfzvk8m by joesticker@mastodon.nu
(DIR) More posts by joesticker@mastodon.nu
(DIR) Post #Am1x2zM82McXfzvk8m by joesticker@mastodon.nu
2024-09-13T05:51:55Z
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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
(DIR) Post #Am1x2zz7hNoRcwAsvA by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T11:14:21Z
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@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.
(DIR) Post #Am1x30UJpOlZBglnXs by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T12:19:14Z
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@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
(DIR) Post #Am1x310vs8r0oq1qNc by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T12:26:47Z
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@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.
(DIR) Post #Am1x31Yxpc4mWNx1QO by joesticker@mastodon.nu
2024-09-15T12:46:27Z
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@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.
(DIR) Post #Am1x31wiPJ4hi33zRg by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T13:02:42Z
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@joesticker @isaackuo And now they got V-22 Ospreys, which increases the speed of inserting troops.
(DIR) Post #Am1x326zn5IYDvsCTA by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T12:24:02Z
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@VikingChieftain @joesticker And given the difficult to overcome build up defenses Russia has dug in the south, it may be too early to rule out paratroopers in Ukraine.I mean, for now it might be easier (but still super difficult) to do an amphibious assault to liberate Crimea. But with the difficulties in the attack across the river in Kherson ... 2/2
(DIR) Post #Am1x32aQ1gplhBdhKa by joesticker@mastodon.nu
2024-09-15T13:12:45Z
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@VikingChieftain @isaackuo it will also be interesting to see how airborne units will evolve with bell v-280 valor
(DIR) Post #Am1x3310Qq6L1e4vlw by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T13:17:26Z
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@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
(DIR) Post #Am1x33PSxtfQFVWStk by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T13:27:27Z
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@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
(DIR) Post #Am1x33v14au7pMHf4i by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T13:31:22Z
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@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
(DIR) Post #Am1x34XekvoRlCMWIq by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T13:52:09Z
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@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%B3https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_RACER
(DIR) Post #Am1x34wTGff709yKyu by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T13:55:58Z
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@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.
(DIR) Post #Am1x35p3zhKZjTVw4e by isaackuo@spacey.space
2024-09-15T14:20:24Z
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@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.
(DIR) Post #Am1x36Y5IJLLz6ZtFQ by VikingChieftain@krigskunst.social
2024-09-15T14:29:00Z
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@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.