tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post6756638159944582515..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Return of the Caribou?George Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-36088253786525826852007-08-03T08:50:00.001-04:002007-08-03T08:50:00.001-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-38673893852247669692007-08-03T08:50:00.000-04:002007-08-03T08:50:00.000-04:00The CN-235 suffers from the same limitations as th...The CN-235 suffers from the same limitations as the C-27; limited range, and a takeoff "roll" that's too long for the COIN support mission. <BR/><BR/>As for the Osprey, it was once envisioned for a variety of special forces missions with Air Force units, but now its duties are being described in one phrase: long-range combat infiltration/extraction. <BR/><BR/>I think that's an indicator that the Osprey has been a big disappointment, at least from the USAF perspective. Go back a few years, and you'll see the service talking about using the CV-22 as a replacment for CSAR helos, the Pave Low special ops chopper, and even the MC-130. Now, with the Osprey at about $50 million a copy (and still beset by operational and maintenance questions), the Air Force can only afford 50, and they'll be used to replace the Pave Lows. Meanwhile, we're having to spend millions more a new CSAR chopper, and the Combat Talons will soldier on for years to come. <BR/><BR/>Makes you wonder what the Air Force could have bought had it taken a pass on the Osprey. <BR/><BR/>Makes you wonderAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-10226550823950602342007-08-03T03:40:00.000-04:002007-08-03T03:40:00.000-04:00Does the USAF still operate the CN-235? It's a li...Does the USAF still operate the CN-235? It's a little bigger than the Caribou but it's a modern machine that carries about 2 tons more payload (6 tons) and cruises at more than twice the speed of the Caribou (which could manage maybe 100kt with a tailwind). The CN-235 is (was?) the smallest cargo plane operated by the USAFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-90634490396256291222007-08-02T18:15:00.000-04:002007-08-02T18:15:00.000-04:00I agree that the report looks as if it was written...I agree that the report looks as if it was written to support the air force's perspective. Which is a pity because the smaller cargo aircraft should have included rough field capability, otherwise all you have is a smaller normnal aircraft with limited utility.<BR/><BR/>With a range of 200nm the Osprey doesn't have the range required but it certainly looks as if the aircraft could be usefull in the COIN role.davodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272330967156237637noreply@blogger.com