HighFlyer55
Registered User
Can some one please tell me about the types of missions that marine helos fly? Whats the major difference between the 46's and 53's?
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helo missions
- Thread starter HighFlyer55
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46Driver
"It's a mother beautiful bridge, and it's gon
AH-1W Cobra - CAS (Close Air Support) and FAC-A (Forward Air Control - Airborne)
UH-1N Huey - FAC-A, C & C (Command and Control), Utility, some CAS
CH-46E - Assault support (generally a stick of 12 although we carried 16 in Somolia), cargo
CH-53E - Heavy Lift is the primary mission but the Big-E is a very versatile machine and carries out a range of missions include long range insertions, special operations, and troop transport (I believe they are limited for political reasons to carrying only 36 Marines). However, the 53E has such a tremendous reserve of power that it can carry 36 almost regardless of the range, temperature or altitude unlike the other helos above.
The 53D just sits in Hawaii....
Size wise: the 46's max gross weight is 24,300 lbs, the 53D is somewhere around 53,000 lbs, and the the 53E is around 73,000 lbs. Other helos (these are rough estimates) Huey about 12,000 lbs, Cobra about 14,500 lbs, Blackhawk up to 22,000 lbs, Chinook around 55,000 lbs and the Osprey is about 55,000 lbs. (Thus you can see it is not accurate to compare the V-22 to the CH-46 - the CH-47 would be a much better comparison.)
UH-1N Huey - FAC-A, C & C (Command and Control), Utility, some CAS
CH-46E - Assault support (generally a stick of 12 although we carried 16 in Somolia), cargo
CH-53E - Heavy Lift is the primary mission but the Big-E is a very versatile machine and carries out a range of missions include long range insertions, special operations, and troop transport (I believe they are limited for political reasons to carrying only 36 Marines). However, the 53E has such a tremendous reserve of power that it can carry 36 almost regardless of the range, temperature or altitude unlike the other helos above.
The 53D just sits in Hawaii....
Size wise: the 46's max gross weight is 24,300 lbs, the 53D is somewhere around 53,000 lbs, and the the 53E is around 73,000 lbs. Other helos (these are rough estimates) Huey about 12,000 lbs, Cobra about 14,500 lbs, Blackhawk up to 22,000 lbs, Chinook around 55,000 lbs and the Osprey is about 55,000 lbs. (Thus you can see it is not accurate to compare the V-22 to the CH-46 - the CH-47 would be a much better comparison.)
jpfarsider
Registered User
Is there any temp exchange of helo pilots between the navy and the marines?
Also, can you change between flying a cobra and a 46/53?
Also, can you change between flying a cobra and a 46/53?
Navy/Marine exchange, no, unless you consider being a test pilot with a Navy test and evaluation squadron an exchange.
There are Marine/Army, Marine/USAF, and Marine/British helo exchanges for those with the "Weapons and Tactics Instructor" write-off.
Going from skid (AH/UH) to assault (53/46) or vice versa would be extremely rare. I do know of a cobra driver who transitioned to 46 in order to get a command opportunity, but he was a LtCol at the time. You could go to HMX-1 as a skid pilot, and then fly the 46,53, 60, and H-3. A straight transition, i.e. "Can I please fly a different helo now?" would be very difficult.
Phrogs phorever
There are Marine/Army, Marine/USAF, and Marine/British helo exchanges for those with the "Weapons and Tactics Instructor" write-off.
Going from skid (AH/UH) to assault (53/46) or vice versa would be extremely rare. I do know of a cobra driver who transitioned to 46 in order to get a command opportunity, but he was a LtCol at the time. You could go to HMX-1 as a skid pilot, and then fly the 46,53, 60, and H-3. A straight transition, i.e. "Can I please fly a different helo now?" would be very difficult.
Phrogs phorever
46Driver
"It's a mother beautiful bridge, and it's gon
As for active duty, PhrogDriver is dead on. The only way you are going to change airframes (not counting Huey to Cobra or 53D to 53E which happen occasionally) is if you airframe is discontinued. However, I know of quite a few helo bubbas who changed aircraft when they switched from acitve duty USMC to Marine Reserves. Different pots of money so 4th MAW (sometimes) can afford to train you in a different aircraft from what you flew in the fleet (i.e., you flew 46's in the fleet but now are going to the Atlanta skid unit and will be flying Cobras).
EA-6B1
PLC Jrs 1st Inc. Kilo-3
Are the Hueys and Cobras called skids because they have no landing gear... but they have skids (I guess is what you call them). And why are the 46's and 53's called assault?
- Quote on being selected for an OCS spot -
"If you are chosen, you will have been chosen by Men 'who have been there and done that' and have decided that they wished to have you in Their company, there is no such medal worth as much."
HighFlyer55
Registered User
During selection at primary do a lot guys want helos, i know from looking around this website it seems everyone wants jets, but there has got to be people that want helos as well? What are the average NSS scores needed to select helos out of primary? What type of helos does the USMC have the most of?
It's assault, as in assault support, bringing troops and equipment ashore.
46driver, pretty close on the numbers. Our max weight on wheels is 69,750 lbs. Our max gross weight with an external load is 73,500 lbs. If we put in the centerline seats we can carry over 50 troops, but most of the time we only carry about 37.
The main difference between 53's and 46's, is that we can carry a greater amount of stuff farther (we are able to refuel inflight). The only drawback is that we are a much bigger target than a 46, and we need a much larger LZ than they do to land in.
Q
Marine Helo Pilot
46driver, pretty close on the numbers. Our max weight on wheels is 69,750 lbs. Our max gross weight with an external load is 73,500 lbs. If we put in the centerline seats we can carry over 50 troops, but most of the time we only carry about 37.
The main difference between 53's and 46's, is that we can carry a greater amount of stuff farther (we are able to refuel inflight). The only drawback is that we are a much bigger target than a 46, and we need a much larger LZ than they do to land in.
Q
Marine Helo Pilot
To address a couple of questions...
Those metal things on the bottom of the Huey and Cobra that the helicopters land on are called "skids." Since the UH and AH are in the same squadrons and overlap on some missions, they are collectively called "skids."
Speaking generally, carrying troops and supplies into forward areas is termed "assault support." The helos for which this is their primary mission are "assault support aircraft," or just "assaults," for short.
The 46 is by far the most common Marine helo. Typically a MEU deploys with 12 46s, 4 53s, 4 AH, and 2 UH, and that roughly the overall proportion as well.
The "only" drawbacks, Q? How 'bout a IR, smoke, and noise signature like a freight train and spending 50% of the time maintenance down?
Phrogs phorever
Those metal things on the bottom of the Huey and Cobra that the helicopters land on are called "skids." Since the UH and AH are in the same squadrons and overlap on some missions, they are collectively called "skids."
Speaking generally, carrying troops and supplies into forward areas is termed "assault support." The helos for which this is their primary mission are "assault support aircraft," or just "assaults," for short.
The 46 is by far the most common Marine helo. Typically a MEU deploys with 12 46s, 4 53s, 4 AH, and 2 UH, and that roughly the overall proportion as well.
The "only" drawbacks, Q? How 'bout a IR, smoke, and noise signature like a freight train and spending 50% of the time maintenance down?
Phrogs phorever
Okay, maybe we do have a little problem with maintanence every once in a while. But what do you expect from something this big and complicated, things are going to break. Add to the fact that these birds aren't getting any younger.
And yes, there may be more drawbacks. But the fact of the matter is that Big Iron is the PREMIER heavy lift, assault support helicopter in the world.
Q
"Piss me off and I'll lift your house!"
Marine Helo Pilot
And yes, there may be more drawbacks. But the fact of the matter is that Big Iron is the PREMIER heavy lift, assault support helicopter in the world.
Q
"Piss me off and I'll lift your house!"
Marine Helo Pilot
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