Please tell me...

[Speed]

Yes it can, and the Longbow radar can target them all at once.

 

I'm talking about the laser hellfire, and AH-64A and AH-64D no radar. The longbow radar can't guide a laser hellfire anyway, only TADS with the laser designator can.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Speed

[mvsgas]

I meant in production phase - adding few meters of cables seems relative small cost compared to effects. Look at Ah-64 - it can carry 4x4 Hellfires. It adds more power that 2x Hellfire :)

 

The biggest problems with adding new equipment to aircraft are weight and balance and re-designing and creating new parts.

 

For the weight and balance; If you add to much weight, you take away from maneuverability and some part will be worn down quicker. Also, anytime you add anything, even a new wire bundle, you have to make sure center of gravity is not affected. With new wire bundles and new pylons to accommodate missiles, may require more power, tolerances for the hydraulic system that moves the pylon may change. Power requirement changes may cause the use of a bigger generator, which in tern may require bigger regulators and so on and so forth. Same with Hydraulic changes, new pump, new valves etc.

 

Another thing is the wing/wiglet will need redesigned to accommodate new cables/hydraulic lines. This may add weight. Also may create new chaffing points. New wings may have to support different weight, so wing attachment point have to be redesign...

 

You get the idea, is more that just adding cables

[lubey]

You could argue why the Ka-50 doesn't have capability for 4 vikhir rails, but then again what about better, integrated avionics; non-crappy laser; RWR & chaff dispenser; FLIR; big radar atop the mast etc? Cost and neccessity come into it in a big way.

[power5]

Did not think 20 rockets would weigh less than 6 vihkr. I run out of vihkr before I am in any danger by the enemy usually. Then I either have to RTB to finish off the AD/tanks, or go for a rockets run, which usually does result in losing some parts of my helo. I understand that major changes could impact the layout and equipment of a chopper, but I dont understand how they never thought it would be a good idea to carry 4 vihkr racks. Or look to the future when another weapon system may want to be added. I do not buy the excuse that the ka50 was not intended to loiter in the combat area. I thought the main benefit/purpose of an attack chopper was to loiter.

[Succellus]

Military personnel aint perfect, rockets are for non retributive targets, usually targets that do not move, buildings and what not.

A chopper is great to come low undetected and blow a building or two, a train some trucks.

Guided weapons should only be used over real threats to the giant mixer.

 

And about lasers, even the Death star need a cool down.

[EtherealN]

but I dont understand how they never thought it would be a good idea to carry 4 vihkr racks.

 

The fact that the helicopter in all combat use it has seen so far will use mainly rockets and cannon, not the Vikhrs, seems to indicate that they were right. ;)

 

It's basically down to this: a simulator cannot perfectly simulate a battlefield. It can simulate the aircraft and systems fairly well, but simulating the actual battlefield properly is a tall order. In "real life" you'll see AH-64's using their Hellfires a lot less than you might think, too, unless they're part of an assault on a heavily mechanized foe. And incidentally: the Ka-50 is serving as a COIN aircraft. There's very little tanks for it to shoot at, but more light trucks and infantry, which is where rockets and the 30 millimeter come in.

[sobek]

In "real life" you'll see AH-64's using their Hellfires a lot less than you might think, too, unless they're part of an assault on a heavily mechanized foe.

 

I wouldn't be so sure, they seem to like using them in urban warfare against buildings held by OPFORS, too.

[power5]

The fact that the helicopter in all combat use it has seen so far will use mainly rockets and cannon, not the Vikhrs, seems to indicate that they were right. ;)

 

It's basically down to this: a simulator cannot perfectly simulate a battlefield. It can simulate the aircraft and systems fairly well, but simulating the actual battlefield properly is a tall order....

 

That makes sense.

 

In our world its unfortunate since the mission designers usually have more than 12 high threat targets on the map. Though, I just fly WP to WP and do not take much time looking for better routes to the target.

[zakobi]

About the Ka-50 and vikhrs or not, i guess one of the main reason they are where they are, is because of the danger of hitting the helo itself under launch. After all, the Hellfire travel in a way more direct way than vikhrs.

[Speed]

Perhaps a question already answered, but at what altitude approximately is the best estimate of the Lightning II pod's max altitude for guiding LGBs?

[159th_Viper]

Perhaps a question already answered, but at what altitude approximately is the best estimate of the Lightning II pod's max altitude for guiding LGBs?

 

Will be limited by the Airframe's Service Ceiling.

[mvsgas]

Perhaps a question already answered, but at what altitude approximately is the best estimate of the Lightning II pod's max altitude for guiding LGBs?

 

On a clear cold dry day, I would guess 20 thousand give or take as the max altitude.

Completely guessing here. Also keep in mind this depends on a number of things (the munition [type of LGB], laser firing limits and like Viper said airframe limits, etc.)