The FReeper Foxhole Reviews AH-64A/D APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTER - December 5th, 2004

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/apache/ ^

[SAMWolf]

Evening Victoria.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Grzegorz 246]

There should be some special price for loyal allies ;)

[Professional Engineer]

Close-up of security system at SAM & snippy's store.

I see you guys have a camera in place to document the infraction, before termination with ho-hum prejudice comes into place.

[SAMWolf]

There should be some special price for loyal allies

I agree. :-)

[SAMWolf]

What's the point of having a great gun if you can't film it going off? ;-)

[SAMWolf]

My thoughts and prayers for your success.

Thanks Matt.

will never build the atmosphere of trust and cooperation.

I still don't trust the Russians.

[Iris7]

A truly strong and free Poland, her people a Nation, is a necessary part of my, our, hopes for Civilization.

And so is Russia, though their nature is darker, as is their fate. Russians may seem brutal hicks, but this is erroneous. Many are, but not even most. Less alcohol in their diet sure wouldn't hurt!

As far as weapon systems, Grygorz laid some Polish sites on me a while back, showing military exports. Made the mind whir and click, old analyst mental frenzy. I think you guys should develop the talent you have for systems, keep bringing in good new folks, honest, without guile, self deception, egotism. That is what I would do in your shoes.

A lot of the stuff that looks very cool now, and that works very well, now, won't be much all too soon. Get ahead of the curve while the Pax Americana lasts.

We will hold the line as long as possible with the help of our friends.

[Iris7]

"What we are seeing with the F-22 and the JSF is the end of manned fighter aircraft."

True.

May need a pilot again when the command - control - communications - intelligence link gets successfully and deeply hacked. Not even a theoretical possibility of that now. Maybe quantum computing could do it, if such a thing is real.

[Grzegorz 246]

We have a new helicopter.

http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/AN2000/04_SW4/2116_p_sw4opis.htm

http://www.pzl.swidnik.pl/AN4000/4100_p_galeria-sw4.htm

[Iris7]

The three PZL helicopter designs interest. There should be markets for all three. The SW4 might sell very well.

Good to see the name "PZL" again. As old an aviation name as Boeing.

Speaking of wishes, I would like to see a PZL - Boeing joint venture. Make those Chinese grind their teeth!! Some other folks, too!

Speaking of current events, I see that Kuchma is trying to negotiate survival for at least some of his relatives with Putin. I understand Putin is not in a forgiving mood. Sic transit gloria mundi.

[Grzegorz 246]

One SW4 should cost no more than $700-800 thousand. About 35 in training version have been ordered by the Polish Air Force a few weeks ago. Recon and for Special Forces versions will be soon created, a few should be also bought by Polish Police and Border Guard, however it was constructed mostly for private costumers. SW4 will be also sold by Lockheed Martin sale system - Polish government bought F16's and this is a part of that contract.

[Grzegorz 246]

Kuchma is trying to do the same what Yeltsin did a few years ago.

[sukhoi-30mki]

I don't think Poland has real need for the AH-64.Poland & most other nations of New Europe(ex-Warsaw Pact) are taking the logical route of upgrading their rugged & reliable Mi-24/35 Hinds with European or Israeli cooperation.This would bring it nearer to the AH-64 in ant-tank capability esp if armed with the Israeli Spike or European Hot or Trigat Missiles & it does have an advantage that the Apache doesnt' have-troop transport capability.If im not mistaken,Poland is planning to fit the Spike to it's Hinds,given that it concluded an agreement to license build the weapons.

[Grzegorz 246]

"If im not mistaken,Poland is planning to fit the Spike to it's Hinds,given that it concluded an agreement to license build the weapons."

Yes, but I'm not sure If it will be accomplished - like always some problems with money and with Russians - they claim that all Soviet built equipment should be modernized in cooperation with their companies, otherwise they don't want to give or even sell some needed documentation.
Polish Mi-24's are also rather old, built in late 70's, so sooner or later will have to be replaced anyway. The new combat helicopter for the Polish Army will be probably AH-64D or Eurocopter Tiger. Mi-24 is more air-assult than anti-tank helicopter, a few of Polish Mi-24's will be probably upgraded with new electronic equipment and will be used by Special Forces - it may transport a small special group.

[sukhoi-30mki]

I don't think there should be any problem from the Russians on this as India,Algeria & a few other nations have had their Hinds upgraded without any Russian company's help with contracts given to Israeli,French & even German firms.India signed a contract with IAI of Israel.Besides While the Hind is still a Russian product,a lot of it's spares are produced in other CIS nations like Ukraine,Kazakhistan,Uzbekistan etc-so getting those parts won't be too difficult.

IMHO,the era of the classic anti-tank helicopter has pretty much been kept into cold storage as is evident from the way the US used it's Apaches & Cobras in Iraq.Aircraft are back doing the heavy duty tank killing while helos are more in the support role.So the Hind is still not a bad option,esp if it gets electronic upgrades & new missiles.

[Grzegorz 246]

Yes, but we and Russians generally don't love each other too much.

BTW I heard that India is interested in our Loara AA system. Did you hear anything about it ?

http://www.radwar.com.pl/eng/eng/prmi_loa.htm

[sukhoi-30mki]

Haven't heard anything in specific,though Ive heard a few reports that the Indian army is looking for a replacement for it's age old Bofors guns & also the 'Shilka' system(which is being upgraded with Israeli help).This looks a pretty decent system,though there was a AA system exhibited during this year Defence exhibition in Delhi(february)-it was a Swedish system which featured 2 35mm oerlikon guns.It's name was something like 'Sky Shield' or 'Sky Watch'.

[PAR35]

I put up the first supplement for the index for comment as to format.