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UH-1N Huey

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bric

Registered User
I've been looking for this information on the net for a while and I think you guys might be able to help me out. On the news during OIF (and some nowadays) I see coverage of the Huey with mounted guns working with Cobras. In the Marine fact files it says it used mainly for command and control. As a civilian I'm curious, what is the main role of this helicopter today in the Marines. Have they just been rigged up into attack helicopters to adapt to the situation, or have they recently shifted to roles as attack helicopters? I've read several articles about them providing convoy security and close air support. What about the new model (UH-1Y?)? I'm just a curious civilian and I'm hoping some of you could help me out here.
Thanks a lot for your time.
-Bric
 
S

sgtdube

USMCGRUNT
Every vehicle in the Marine Corps in Iraq should have some type of mounted weapon. If not, then of course the men driving will. The Huey is used for everything: supply runs, med-evacs, troop transport, anything that you can think of. In the Marines, and I am sure in the other branches, we use everything that we can in anyway that we can even if it is not SOP, which is what it is supposed to be...
S/F
Sgt Dube
 
skidkid

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Ok here goes.
The Huey is a Utility Helicopter, they do everything ok and nothing well. One day they are Command and Control the next they are inserting a recon team/extracting wounded and on the third day working as a Close Air Support platform. Working as a gunship is not new to the Huey they train for it regularly.
In an Urban environment the Huey is at times the preffered platform either in a mixed secion or two hueys. Teh almost 360 degree gun coverage is huge in an urban environment and the GAU-16 with 3000 rounds per minute is a nice tool ina city.
They carry rockets (he, flechette or WP)
.50 Cals
7.62mm min gun or machine gun.
And a kick @ss FLIR
 
skidkid

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Oh yes Flechettes are the best, 2200 nails going downrange is a beautiful thing. WE are develping a new flechette with bigger nails though we get less of them.
cheap simple and devestating. Imagein 2200 of these coming at you for an 80 meter circle
 
K

KBayDog

Well-Known Member
2200 perfectly-groomed fingernails coming at me sends shivers down my spine.

Seriously, though, I cannot think of too many worse ways to die. Without going into details, were they used often in the desert, and if so, were they successful?
 
skidkid

skidkid

CAS Czar
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Used somewaht often, they have limitations that limit the effectiveness for CAS and some are getting old. Best used on camps in Afghanistan out int he open than in the city.
We brief it as an anti-helicopter weapon too if need be. makes a nice complement to a sidewinder.
 
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