Not for DARPA. They’re in the business of creating opportunity.
The USMC is watching this. Why wouldn’t they? It’d be the EABO machine. Worth checking out the RFI from last year.
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The newest Herk?
- Thread starter skybert
- Start date
The USMC is watching this. Why wouldn’t they? It’d be the EABO machine. Worth checking out the RFI from last year.
Because that’s not how the Marines set requirements, or buy aircraft.
There’s a process for coming up with good ideas outside of the JCIDS formality.
DARPA is given the sea room to get out ahead of the requirement and look for things the services didn’t know they need, but really want when they see it.
I doubt the Marines would be willing to carve out enough budget money for the logistics tail that would come with this capability. Not many seaplane ramps at airfields anymore, and not many Marine airfields co-located with bodies of water big enough to take a seaplane of this size.
I really do think it’s a cool idea but I feel like the absolute massive infrastructure and back shop support ($$$$) required to make this thing work at an operational level is being overlooked.
Yes, I'm aware of what DARPA does, but at the end of the day, the services still have to agree to pay the bill. I think you're having a difficult time understanding the difference between something that could theoretically be done vs. what is likely to happen.
You and I both know that there is zero percent change the USMC will buy this or anything like it. Zero.
Never say never.
The USMC might be watching, but they're not going to make a smart decision on it.
Ask a Marine MQ-9 guy what their primary METs are. Leave it to the USMC to buy a shooting RPA platform to do everything but shoot.
See also, Navy HSC.
Saw one of those today at the Miramar Airshow. I chuckled a bit to see the hellfire rails with no hellfires. Wish I had snapped a picture.
The idea is still alive, and is being tested in various concepts. I dropped in on an unclassified AFA brief and they have tested dropping some stand-off missiles and such. The AFSOC guys don’t see this as a thing to strike at the Chinese Main Battle Fleet but rather a tool to disrupt CHYCAP logistics and merchant marine. I doubt we’ll see one in the next few years, but in five or ten…maybe.
www.defensenews.com
Air Force plans more tests of amphibious, armed MC-130J airlifter
“It does have strategic implications, but I think that’s all to the positive,” Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Jim Slife said.
www.defensenews.com
Did you see what kind of conjuration they are pursuing? Most articles say amphibian, meaning it will have operational wheels permanently attached, and of course, operate on land and water. They could go more flying boat with detachable wheels for hauling her out. That would likely be quicker and cheaper.The idea is still alive, and is being tested in various concepts. I dropped in on an unclassified AFA brief and they have tested dropping some stand-off missiles and such. The AFSOC guys don’t see this as a thing to strike at the Chinese Main Battle Fleet but rather a tool to disrupt CHYCAP logistics and merchant marine. I doubt we’ll see one in the next few years, but in five or ten…maybe.
Air Force plans more tests of amphibious, armed MC-130J airlifter
“It does have strategic implications, but I think that’s all to the positive,” Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Jim Slife said.
Some type of boat hull appears to be the winner.