Griffons one step closer to Afghanistan?
Sharon Hobson, writing in Jane's IDR seems to think so:
More than half a year ago, now, I had a good chat with a Canadian rotary-wing pilot about the possibility of sending the CH-146 over to Kandahar. That pilot pointed me towards some rough performance figures that showed the possibilities, and some of the risks associated with such a deployment. Here's how I replied:
Look, if you need the capability badly enough, you make due with baling wire and gun tape, right? I just don't know how badly we need improvised gunships over there. And when I say "I don't know," I'm not making an editorial comment - I really don't know.
Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) is fitting its CH-146 Griffon helicopters with surveillance sensors and weapons for use in Afghanistan, and during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Under the Interoperable Griffon Reconnaissance Escort Surveillance System (INGRESS) project, the DND requires 19 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems for installation on the Griffons as a mission kit in two configurations. Four will be in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration and 15 in the escort configuration. Sixty-four Griffon helicopters will be modified to carry the new kit.
The ISR configuration is to consist of cabin-mounted sensor controls, map and imagery displays, a cockpit-mounted multifunctional digital moving map display and imagery display, and a datalink. The sensor system will be configured to allow for installation and removal as an integrated mission kit, replacing the AN/AAQ-501 currently mounted on the Griffons. L-3 Wescam is expected to bid with a variant of its MX-15 system.
The escort configuration will consist of the same elements - minus the datalink - as well as a door-mounted Gatling gun to provide a suppressive fire capability.
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada will undertake the installation of the equipment on the helicopters. The winning contractor will have to enter into a long-term partnership with Bell to provide in-service support, as well as to develop future capabilities for the sensor system over the remaining life of the aircraft - currently estimated to run until 2021.
INGRESS provides an interim solution for providing armed escorts for the six CH-47D Chinooks being acquired from the US Army for deployment to Afghanistan. Over the longer term, the Royal Canadian Air Force intends to replace the Griffons, which were acquired in 1995-97, with a new tactical support helicopter. This will operate with the 16 new CH-47F model Chinooks to be delivered after 2011.
The contract for the systems is expected to be awarded in May 2008, with first deliveries in November and final delivery in mid-2009. The Canadian mission in Afghanistan was recently given a two-year extension, from 2009 to 2011.
More than half a year ago, now, I had a good chat with a Canadian rotary-wing pilot about the possibility of sending the CH-146 over to Kandahar. That pilot pointed me towards some rough performance figures that showed the possibilities, and some of the risks associated with such a deployment. Here's how I replied:
Thanks, *******. There's a lot of acronyms and jargon in there that I don't fully understand, but if I'm getting the gist of things, the writer believes it's worth stressing a few airframes in order to get even their most limited capabilities into the fight. Your idea of CCS [Close Combat Support], with the option of medevac if required/practical is an interesting one.
But is it worth trashing those choppers by riding them that hard in a situation they weren't designed for? I'm still on the fence on that one. At the end of the day, the CF doesn't exist solely to fight the Afghan mission, and as sure as God made little yellow politicians, you're going to need the whirlybirds somewhere else at some point - at which time, if they aren't there because we flew them too hard in Afg, somebody's going to throw a fit. Not to mention what happens if one goes down - remember the shit-storm over using the Iltis in Kabul? Best vehicle we had for the job at that point, just not the vehicle anyone wanted - which sounds suspiciously like the Griffon. And there's not a single politician who wants to be accused of sending over kit that's not up to the job. [emphasis mine]
Tough call on this one.
Good on you guys for wanting to get into the fight, though. Shows solid esprit de corps.
Look, if you need the capability badly enough, you make due with baling wire and gun tape, right? I just don't know how badly we need improvised gunships over there. And when I say "I don't know," I'm not making an editorial comment - I really don't know.
posted by Babbling Brooks at 3:20 p.m.
4 Comments:
I have made mention on here before about the lack of performance of a Griffon in 'High and hot' conditions in places like Afghanistan. As an armed escort or medi-vac machine, they may prove useful. To expect them to carry any real cargo or troops is asking way too much of them.
As for hurting them by pulling too much power, be aware that the civilian versions of the same aircraft ( Bell 412), the airframe is pretty robust and tolerant of excessive loads for a reasonable period of time. Any structural damage can be repaired as required. Many of the UH-1 class of helicopters in the civil market have been crashed and rebuilt many times. In some cases, little more than the original 'data plate' is required. Everything else is new and rebuilt to factory specs. Most approved helicopter structure shops are capable of this.
Where the problem, as I see it, comes into the picture is the lack of tactical power they will have if they encounter hostile fire or need to bug-out in a hurry. That shortcoming will endanger the soldiers lives. This helicopter is NOT a military helicopter no matter how many coats of camo pain they apply. The CH-146 Griffon is a standard Bell 412 civy machine with a bit of extra 'kit' installed. The intention was, when purchased, was to operate them the same as a civilian machine so they could be sold off when they are no longer needed, back into civilian use. Other military aircraft are strictly forbidden to be used in civilian aviation because they have been operated outside the limits of their design specifications and intended use.
The Griffon is already a huge 'white elephant' now, and if they start to use them beyond the limits they were designed for, they will be basically worthless when they have been retired.
The aircraft is not a 'bad' helicopter for use as a logistics platform, aerial recon, or flying bus in proper conditions, but it is not an attack helicopter, or assault machine such as was seen in Vietnam.
Times have changed, and the UH-1 type machines are not up to the modern battlefield against rocket propelled grenades, or AA fire in open terrain.
Use the Griffons within their designed operating envelope and there should be no problems. Kit them out with too much weight, in hot or high conditions, and you will have a much less capable machine than is required for the job they are tasked to do. 4 crew and fuel ( with mini-guns + ammo) and you have all the load they can handle in a hostile environment. Nothing depletes helicopter performance more than high temps and altitude. Both are regular features of Afghanistan.
Send them over, please do! Be mindful, however, of what they CAN do, and what they CAN"T do when people are shooting at them. Don't take a knife to a gunfight.
Well said, Arctic Front.
INGRESS makes the B.C. media.
Mark
Ottawa
B.C. paper because of plans to use some for surveillance at Olympics.
Mark
Ottawa
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