Airbus boosts plane's profile as alternative to Hercules

[HamiltonWest]

Airbus has launched a hearts and minds campaign to make New Zealanders aware of what it has to offer the Royal NZ Air Force to replace its ageing Hercules
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news ... d=11423033

[omitchell]

I do like the A400M, nice looking bird, tho when it comes to comparing it's looks to the Herc *cough* Ripoff *Cough* sorry something in my throat...

[Ian Warren]

New Zealand the first to the 'H' variant of the C-130 in 1965, last two in 68, they are still impressive and still getting built, so its whats the cost , now they have lasted 50 years going to be 55/60 when replaced .

Old argument is now to get the NH90s to a disaster zone, the gov would well that what the HMNZS Canterbury is for and the Herc for fast reaction to either airdrop supplies whilst the F421 on it way with the helicopters , in the long term buying the cheaper Herc for that reason and use the Navy as base off operations.

That concept was proven well during the Christchurch EQ, Lyttleton just happened to have the ship in port for an exercise only to find itself in a real emergency and used to help the general public in devastated port , I'd be thinking the Gov will be looking towards that concept and use in the Pacific and think that is happening now.

I think the Gov should buy the cheaper alternative and look at buying or getting one off these larger carriers (littrioral warfare) Australia is currently building to carry a larger portion of the NH90. there are some Islands that do not have airstrips, these could carrier much more supplies, that would the real tactical idea.

[SUBS17]

Looks like a cool aircraft I wonder which is better the A400 or the latest version of the Herc, the other thing to consider is the C17 is overall a better aircraft IMO.

[omitchell]

the other thing to consider is the C17 is overall a better aircraft IMO.

[Ian Warren]

Looks like a cool aircraft I wonder which is better the A400 or the latest version of the Herc, the other thing to consider is the C17 is overall a better aircraft IMO.

Or we could buy another 100 more LAVs

[omitchell]

Looks like a cool aircraft I wonder which is better the A400 or the latest version of the Herc, the other thing to consider is the C17 is overall a better aircraft IMO.

Or we could buy another 100 more LAVs

Probably the more likely outcome knowing the bunch of donKey's running this country at the mo

[Charl]

The 3 all carry stuff about 4,000km
Lovely as the C17 is, it is a heavy lifter and requires proportionate facilities: 2,300m runway to bring its 77t cargo.
For NZ use, the A400 might make a lot of sense; it carries (at 37t) almost twice as much as the C130H over the same distance, and gets out of comparable strips (around 1,000m.) The C130J can do 33t; it's an old airframe and the new engines can't quite match the 21st century wing+powerplant of the A400.
EDIT:
But the A400 is a lot more expensive... the beancounters will win in the end, we'll find some C130J's somewhere, refurbish and upgrade them, and fly them for 50 years!

[Ian Warren]

I sure what its going to come down too is the change, they go on about ISs and not going to war, the 400s can carry a couple of LAVs and plenty to spear if we loose one in a combat zone, looking at the NZDF since the closer and cutbacks, NZ still has the maintenance structure for C130s and can service other countries C130s if needed to make some extra moneys ... like we have seen in recent history, its the whim of the Gov in control and public brownie point points.

[J7G]

Embraer are putting in the KC390, too.

I think the government is set on the C17 though.

[Ian Warren]

Embraer are putting in the KC390, too.

I think the government is set on the C17 though.

The Embraer is in the almost class as a CN235 and C27, little to light , I am all for the C17, maybe two off them and three late model C-130s, that would give a superb tactical arrangement, I very much doubt the lighter load types would be put into consideration since the Gov likes to play the I am hero status for human savour ... they do play on that well.