OTTAWA - The Manley commission's recommendation that Canada acquire helicopters and aerial drones before continuing the Afghan mission has sent the military into a frantic, worldwide hunt for equipment.
Both the CH53 and CH47 are capable heavy lifters, but the CH53 may fit DNDs needs better post Afghanastan. Wonder where the crews and maintainers will come from?
CH-47 is almost as good at high and hot altitudes as it is at sea level, while the CH47 is primarily meant for sea-level.
Really, I'm thinking our best bet would be to find some good, used, in term choppers suited for Afghanistan (8 older CH47s), then hold a competition between the CH47 and the CH53 in all environments to see which is the better aircraft. Then put the 8 Chinooks we ought into mothballs, to be brought out again in wartime if the CH53s prove themselves to be incapable or lagging in certain theaters.
Really, I'm thinking our best bet would be to find some good, used, in term choppers suited for Afghanistan (8 older CH47s), then hold a competition between the CH47 and the CH53 in all environments to see which is the better aircraft. Then put the 8 Chinooks we ought into mothballs, to be brought out again in wartime if the CH53s prove themselves to be incapable or lagging in certain theaters.