Two Isreali Apaches Collide?

www.ynetnews.com...

An Israel Defense Forces officer, serving as a combat pilot, was killed and three soldiers were wounded Thursday night as two Apache (Cobra) combat helicopters on their way to Lebanon to assist IDF forces operating against Hizbullah terrorists near Avivim collided and then crashed in the Ramot Naftali area, near the Koach Junction south of Kiryat Shmona. Rescue forces were mobilized to the scene.

Expensive crash.

Questions though...

1. Are Apache's and Cobra's the same? I didn't think so, but they do.
2. What is your opinion on the spin factor? What are the odds of Hizbolla hitting two Apaches?

Thanks

Bah. Stabalizers (I dont know the technical term) on helicopter rotors screw up frequently when compared to helicopter crashes in general, causing the rotor to 'bank' to one side, dragging the helicopter into whatever is in that direction.

Such complex machines, most of which have been idling for so long, finally being fired up on a moments notice. I would be more suprised if some equipment hadnt failed.

[edit on 21-7-2006 by johnsky]

"Western" Helicopters must be the most unreliable means of transportation in the world. These things can't seem to stay in the air at all. They want us to believe that they are NEVER taken down in BATTLE, but consistantly crash in to each other or just fall out of the sky for no reason.

Anytime one of these machines is taken down by opfor its always listed as being an accident. No opfor has ever taken down an Apache or Black Hawk yet (except in Somolia of course - and they had to make a movie about that one)... they just crash and selfdestruct on their own it seems.

-VMX

Two main factors cause those "birds" to crash.

1st Inexperienced pilots... we put these kids in them after very short training periods [relative to seasoned pilots with lots of hours. Toss them into a battle situation... it happens

2nd SAND Lots and lots of fine sand...

The people of the maintenance department work 12-hour shifts. According to Gatrell, a lot of man hours are put into making the Apaches operational.

“The sand here is a real fine, powdery type sand,” he said. “It gets into the circuitry and the engines and can cause a lot problems.”

Defend America.MIL

Apache in Afghanistan [New Window]
... to an urgent requirement to evaluate the effects of sand and dust on the CRV7 lightweight rocket launchers fitted to the Apache attack helicopter, ...
www.particletechnology.com...

Not everything is a conspiracy:p



Oh and for you tech junkies out there, a little gift...

You know those brochures the car dealers give out? Specs, great pics?

Well here is the manufacturers "brouchure" for the Apache

Agusta Westland

Enjoy


[edit on 21-7-2006 by zorgon]

Originally posted by Slap Nuts


1. Are Apache's and Cobra's the same? I didn't think so, but they do.
2. What is your opinion on the spin factor? What are the odds of Hizbolla hitting two Apaches?

Thanks

Answers:

1: They aren't. Cobra's and Apaches are two very different beasts.
2: It is entirely possible that Hezbollah can take down one. As I keep telling people, they are ALOT better equipped than people give them credit for. Wether they did or didn't in this case is up for disussion, but they are more than able to shoot down an Apache.

[edit on 21/7/06 by stumason]