Military AI Works

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/07/ne ... mothballs/
Hoping after the sequester the Army can grab these, as clearly the AF doesn't want them. Ron

ronniegj wrote:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/07/ne ... mothballs/
Hoping after the sequester the Army can grab these, as clearly the AF doesn't want them. Ron

The army is getting rid of theres too. They dont want them either, and most are going to the border patrol and other little agencies like that. This is coming from a MD ang C-27 pilot i talked to.

US Coast Guard might take a few of them as well and defer their HC-144 deliveries.

Well I heard a very vague mention of maintenance issues related to these, but nothing definitive, and seems be a shame, as I thought they were very nice a/c, especially for Army missions replacing the Shorts. Ron

The Army didn't want the Sherpa's either, but I do know of a few other "special" units trying to get their hands on a couple. I don't understand the issue of not wanting them, as a line user of other aircraft (King Airs), I can see a C-27J fitting in nicely with many missions. I did read it wasn't that much cheaper than a C-130J.

If congress gets their way, 14 are destined for the Forest Service (probably turned over to contractors) and seven will go to the Coast Guard. To me, it seems like too much airplane for smoke jumping and a bit inadequate for dropping retardant. They are saying it will hold 1800 gallons which sounds pretty good till you look at the cost per gallon and the fact that those are sea level numbers. flying out of Grand Junction or Stead will be at least 200 Gallons less because of DA. It will interesting to see where they end up.

USFS doesn't want them now because they cannot hold the required 2000 gallons of water or retardant.

Read somewhere that the SOCC now wants a few for themselves.

Whomever gets them, good luck with parts and contractor support.

I'm not sure if the Forest Service will have an option. Politicians in western states are still pushing for them. Tom Tidwell could lose his job if he tries telling them no.

Looks like SOCOM is picking up a handful of them:
http://www.defensenews.com/article/2013 ... -From-USAF

I have to say that I'm very pleased about this development! SOCOM is an ideal utilization for this a/c. Ron

These will add to the Casa's already in use. Hopefully if they pursue the "AC" varient, they will use a kit similar to the Harvest Hawk system the USMC is using to great success downrange.

Australia is buying some, but we don't rely on the U.S. manufacturer to make and supply parts, we do that mostly here our self. We have learn't not to trust the U.S. as a supplier of quality parts.
We want them for domestic operations as a replacement for our now retired Caribou and Herc fleets.