Flagrum Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 Inspired by the discussion(s) regarding the AH-1 and comparisations between Cobra and Huey, their viability as weapon platform, etc. I came to think about what a typical load out for the Huey would look like. "Typical"? Yeah, it depends. But for example, loading up the whole range of weapons that we have available for the Huey ... is that really realistic? 4 mini guns, 38 FFAR - that already has some serious weight which doesn't leave much for the Huey's main purpose of transporting stuff. For example, I would think that for dropping troops in a hot LZ, one would just take two M60 door gunners for self defense. And maybe just one mini gun in the cabin for a helo that is providing supressive fire from an overwatch position, circling the LZ (a second door gunner would have not much to do). And perhaps to really wreck some havoc and do some attack runs, I'd load some rockets and the mini guns on the flex mounts. Does this sound remotely more realistic than to go all the time with an uber "SuperHuey"? This would make at least some sense when considering the role and the abilities of the upcoming Cobra, no?
b00ce Posted January 6, 2014 Posted January 6, 2014 4 miniguns and 38 rockets is pushing it to the point where you're power margin is dangerously small. It's obviously possible, depending on the conditions of course (Try taking off from one of the higher airfields on a hot day), but it isn't the ideal situation. LG 34UC97 34" 3440x1440 monitor | 2x GTX-980 G1 Gaming I7-5820k @ 3.3GHz | 16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 @ 2133Mhz Samsung 840 EVO 120GB & 1TB SSDs | Seagate 3TB HDD TM Warthog | Saitek Pro Flight Combat Pedals
Scrim Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 Well, from a solely Vietnam perspective, carrying rockets and flex guns meant you were a gunship and thus wouldn't carry anything else than yourself and ammo. From what I've read, they would not bring door gunners. Slicks, troop carries on the other hand would, for protection rather than as an offensive weapon. Flying around unarmed, and landing in hostile territory is dangerous as it is with door gunners, without would probably not be better. I don't think a door gunner would be relied on for any sort of over watch on an LZ or anywhere else for that matter. In that case you'd have to pretty much circle the very same area several times for a long period of time, and books like Chickenhawk tells of how just going out the same way you came in once with 4 Hueys was very dangerous, so having a single one circling about would be worse. For that task the gunships would be employed, initially shooting the LZ to shreds before the landing, and then standing by to do the same thing to potential enemies that ground forces or air recon spotted. So shortly, in terms of loadouts, I'd say flex guns and rockets, no door gunners if you're out for action. Door gunners, nothing else if transporting something.
Scrim Posted January 7, 2014 Posted January 7, 2014 4 miniguns and 38 rockets is pushing it to the point where you're power margin is dangerously small. It's obviously possible, depending on the conditions of course (Try taking off from one of the higher airfields on a hot day), but it isn't the ideal situation. I'll up you one, from my DCS experiences so far: 4 Miniguns, 38 rockets, full fuel, autorotation on any day. Plummet like a rock. :pilotfly:
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