Jason Tu sent me this picture taken at Hsinchu AFB Openhouse on Apr 26, showing AH-1W 529 fitted with inlet debris screens. I don’t know if it is only an experiment or will be applied fleet-wide.
Jason also told me that Sikorsky’s helicopters have better dust and sand separation efficiency and thus do not need the screens. “You can even mow your grass next to the heilcopter,” he claimed.
Hi,
I would like to ask if anyone know anything about Turkish offer to buy about 12 AH-1Ws from Taiwan? There has been some speculations in Turkish newspapers in recent weeks that Turkish Army is looking for around 12 AH-1W in order to supplement their inventory of 8 surviving AH-1Ws and there might be an offer to Taiwan via USA who is playing the middile man. Thanks…
I have not heard about anything like this. Anyone?
But I think Taiwan will not have any AH-1W to spare until the AH-64D are delivered in 201X. Can Turkey wait that long?
Hi,
Turkey needs these choppers immediately as far as I can see the situation in Turkey. Turish Army is fighting a terrorist group in south eastern part of the Turkey. The region is mountainous and requires high power choppers as weel as twin engine.
The current inventory of Turkey consists of 8 AH-1W and 26 AH-1P(Single engine). Turkey also signed a project to produce 51 T-129 attack helicopters with AgustaWesland but the projects firts delivery is around 2013. The project’s aim is to use all Turkish built and designed mission computers, E/O sensors, aviyonics and weapon systems as well as using more powerful CTS800 engines. Thus, Turkey needs a gap filler until T-129 becomes operational, and purchasing a new attack helicopter which is not inventory of TAF could be very expensive solution until 2013.
So, Turkey asked USA to provide soma used AH-1W from their inventory if available. In retur, USA responsed they have nothing available due to fighting in Iraq and Afganistan but last week or so, several newspapers wrote articles that Turkish Army might ask Taiwan if there are available AH-1Ws for sale. Their thinking possiblye is that since Taiwan is buying AH-64D, it would be possible to purchase 10-12 AH-1W from their inventory. This can be done in packages such as delivery of 5-6 in the initial stages and 5-6 more in a few years.
BTW, Do you think AH-1Ws will be available after AH-64D delivered? What is the purpose of purchasing AH-64Ds while operating considerable number of AH-1Ws? I know AH-64D are high tech etc but operating two different type of attack choppers can be burden on operational budget.
Thanks
The 30 AH-64D is suppose to fill out the 603rd Air Assault/Attack Brigade, which now exist only on paper. Unless US is going to sell more AH-64D beyond the 30 already OK, Taiwan really has no AH-1W to spare….