We should definitely purchase the US-2s ASAP, but the modified C-130 might be a better solution because the ramp in the back might allow it to load and unload equipment, e.g., missile systems and mine warfare equipment, and personnel better than the US-2. I bet the Skunk Works could deliver that aircraft quickly if the acquisition system got out of the way.
I designed ships, not aircraft, but a lot of the backfit problems are the same. The C-130 is a very well-balanced design and does its current mission set extremely well. Adding floats to them will really reduce their effective combat weight capacity. The US-2 structure was designed from the ground up (water up?) as a waterborne craft. The Japanese have done a good job on that design. Shock, shock - as an island nation, they understand the advantages of non-traditional air facilities.
I agree. Say what they will about WWII, but Shit. Got. Done. We'd have to March every American defense contractor out back and shoot the lot. What if it had taken ten years just to get the P-51 up for its first test flight?
I'm a civilian, and there are things I don't understand, but there are people trying to kill my kids. Get off the pot!
how about a V-22 with a rescue hoist on the tail and larger sponsons for increased floatation. UH-3's other variants like the CH-47 have "landed" in the water before?
and yes, we MUST buy the Japanese P-5 Marlin! For those who spent a lazy afternoon at Gaines Beach in Subic Bay, you got to meet Ernie Gaines, who was one of the last enlisted pilots in the Navy, flying the P-5 Marlin flying boat. what an amazing guy!
We should definitely purchase the US-2s ASAP, but the modified C-130 might be a better solution because the ramp in the back might allow it to load and unload equipment, e.g., missile systems and mine warfare equipment, and personnel better than the US-2. I bet the Skunk Works could deliver that aircraft quickly if the acquisition system got out of the way.
I designed ships, not aircraft, but a lot of the backfit problems are the same. The C-130 is a very well-balanced design and does its current mission set extremely well. Adding floats to them will really reduce their effective combat weight capacity. The US-2 structure was designed from the ground up (water up?) as a waterborne craft. The Japanese have done a good job on that design. Shock, shock - as an island nation, they understand the advantages of non-traditional air facilities.
I agree. Say what they will about WWII, but Shit. Got. Done. We'd have to March every American defense contractor out back and shoot the lot. What if it had taken ten years just to get the P-51 up for its first test flight?
I'm a civilian, and there are things I don't understand, but there are people trying to kill my kids. Get off the pot!
how about a V-22 with a rescue hoist on the tail and larger sponsons for increased floatation. UH-3's other variants like the CH-47 have "landed" in the water before?
You can bet the BDU-wearing diversity police have no interest, unless the Japanese planes come with complimentary transgender pilots 😉
These guys could f up and do no worse; this appears intentional.
and yes, we MUST buy the Japanese P-5 Marlin! For those who spent a lazy afternoon at Gaines Beach in Subic Bay, you got to meet Ernie Gaines, who was one of the last enlisted pilots in the Navy, flying the P-5 Marlin flying boat. what an amazing guy!
So, every seaplane is some other asset that you don't get.
Each ShinMaywa US-2 costs $110,000,000 and, in fairness, it looks like even the Japanese doubt their utility as they only ever built 6.
1. The USA is 2.5 times Japan. So that would be 16 for us.
2. The USA ($778 billion on defense) spends 15.25x more Japan ($51 billion) on its military. So that would be 92 for us.
I'm only asking for a few dozen, not even close to 92.
The average of the two is 54. Not even that...but it would be nice.
Thank you for playing.
I think it's a fine idea. Assuming TPTB said, "Hokay, go for it," tomorrow, what do you estimate the delivery time would be for 16 and 48 units?