SeaHawk down... on a frigate

[K1ra_Yoshikage]

A friendly reminder: don't try this at home kids!

Sorry can only post the link since it isn't from youtube. If there is a ad first, sorry also for this. It#s from a German news webpage.

 

http://www.spiegel.de/video/hubschrauber-landung-bei-wellengang-video-1723820.html

 

[jmanII]

Can you say "We need RAST"?

 

https://www.curtisswrightds.com/products/naval-systems/helicopter-securing-traversing/rast.html

 

Have to hand it to him, that is tough without it - I guess they did not use Operational Risk Management.

[twitch133]

Trying to land on a Frigate in what looks to be Sea State 7.... no thanks.

[MexicanPanda]

That must have been one hell of an experience. XD

[desmo_2]

Pilot couldn't crap for a week.  It took that long for his sphincter to relax.

[Skpstr]

Pilot couldn't crap for a week.  It took that long for his sphincter to relax.

 

Lol wouldn't matter, his bowels were probably completely empty.

[rustydawg]

Piece of cake for an experienced helo pilot.

[Thornir]

I've actually done this. LAMPS MK I landing on a Knox - class frigate in a typhoon between Hong Kong and Subic Bay.

 

We weren't as lucky. We rolled over before they could chain us down.

[Sink_Stuff]

I've actually done this. LAMPS MK I landing on a Knox - class frigate in a typhoon between Hong Kong and Subic Bay.

 

We weren't as lucky. We rolled over before they could chain us down.

 

Thank you for your service. Watching this video you would think that they would have a better helicopter and system for taking off and landing from a ship. Why try to land on the deck that is moving when a crane hook from the ship could be set to near perfect stabilization through computers? Oh how about better helicopters than can land on water and be picked up like sea planes? Sounds like the navy is falling behind in tech in this area. As well, how on earth could you make that landing when missiles are flying at you? Just seems like a bad system entirely to me given today's technology.

[AussieZeus]

 

Thank you for your service. Watching this video you would think that they would have a better helicopter and system for taking off and landing from a ship. Why try to land on the deck that is moving when a crane hook from the ship could be set to near perfect stabilization through computers? Oh how about better helicopters than can land on water and be picked up like sea planes? Sounds like the navy is falling behind in tech in this area. As well, how on earth could you make that landing when missiles are flying at you? Just seems like a bad system entirely to me given today's technology.

 

To answer some of the ideas you threw up.

 

Because 'near Perfect' is not good enough for something you suggest, computers are not infallible, they can be disrupted, damaged or knocked out (accidents/fire/combat degradation, etc), what if things go bad and the hook hits a main rotor or tail rotor...

 

Float Planes/Sea planes would never land in a sea state like that, wave motion disrupts smooth airflow over and under wings, which could cause the Sea Plane to flip (or stall...) while landing, small sea planes that a frigate could carry would not be able to land in any significant swell, as for VTOL landing on water, sure could work, but why would you. The frigate or vessel then has to direct to the spot, slow to station keeping (and alot of military ships do not have bow/stern thrusters to maintain exact relative position), then you have to crane or slide the VTOL vehicle onto the ship while making sure nothing collides due to swell and waves; all of which takes time while the ship is stationary in variable seas (and in combat situations... sitting stationary, or stationary in a cyclone...)

 

Lastly landing under fire, if a aircraft or ship or such is firing at the helicopter while it is landing, the helicopter is within the defensive AA envelope of the vessel in question, meaning it is probably as well protected as it can ever be, the helicopter is also able to land safely since the defensive systems have built in safeguards where you can assign 'no engagement' zones or arcs allowing the helicopter to land,

 

While the helicopter/s do need to come in from the vessels flank to land, it is also done this way so the ships defensive systems cover almost a complete 360 degree arc even while the helicopter is landing, yes there is a small arc at the immediate rear where the vessel and helicopter is vulnerable but its the least risk out of the numerous options available (and even within that arc since VLS systems are generally positioned forward or midships, defensive missiles can still be fired and directed rearward out beyond the 'no engagement' landing envelope).

 

So yeah, it may look crazy, but ironically its the least risky of various options.

 

 

[BlazerSparta]

No beartrap?

[Thornir]

No beartrap?

 

Not every Navy has them. We didn't, when I flew. They were just coming out. Some ships are too small for them.

[Thornir]

 

To answer some of the ideas you threw up.

 

Because 'near Perfect' is not good enough for something you suggest, computers are not infallible, they can be disrupted, damaged or knocked out (accidents/fire/combat degradation, etc), what if things go bad and the hook hits a main rotor or tail rotor...Beartrap works fine. No computers.

 

Float Planes/Sea planes would never land in a sea state like that, wave motion disrupts smooth airflow over and under wings, which could cause the Sea Plane to flip (or stall...) while landing, small sea planes that a frigate could carry would not be able to land in any significant swell, as for VTOL landing on water, sure could work, but why would you. The frigate or vessel then has to direct to the spot, slow to station keeping (and alot of military ships do not have bow/stern thrusters to maintain exact relative position), then you have to crane or slide the VTOL vehicle onto the ship while making sure nothing collides due to swell and waves; all of which takes time while the ship is stationary in variable seas (and in combat situations... sitting stationary, or stationary in a cyclone...)

 

Lastly landing under fire, if a aircraft or ship or such is firing at the helicopter while it is landing, the helicopter is within the defensive AA envelope of the vessel in question, meaning it is probably as well protected as it can ever be, the helicopter is also able to land safely since the defensive systems have built in safeguards where you can assign 'no engagement' zones or arcs allowing the helicopter to land, We would never attempt to land in a surface or air combat engagement. Keeping a steady course and speed, even for as long as it took to get us aboard put the ship at too much risk. A really good crew could time their approach and catch the ship coming into or out of a turn with less than ideal wind over the deck, but in any fight where the ship is using its weapons, we are way the hell away. An aircraft that can fly BELOW the swells is really hard to hit, especially with the broken junk the Soviets were using.

 

While the helicopter/s do need to come in from the vessels flank to land (not true, mate), it is also done this way so the ships defensive systems cover almost a complete 360 degree arc even while the helicopter is landing, yes there is a small arc at the immediate rear where the vessel and helicopter is vulnerable but its the least risk out of the numerous options available (and even within that arc since VLS systems are generally positioned forward or midships, defensive missiles can still be fired and directed rearward out beyond the 'no engagement' landing envelope). See above. Doesn't work this way.

 

So yeah, it may look crazy, but ironically its the least risky of various options.