From the SOR:
Weapons/Stores
The MH weapons/stores system equipment shall:
Be initially configured to carry two MK 46 torpedoes with the capacity to carry future weapons with a weight up to 1000lbs on each station;
"¢ allow for the upload/download of external weapons/stores while the aircraft has rotors turning;
"¢ provide an armament/stores control and dispensing system;
"¢ have provisions for self defence stores including chaff and flares; and
"¢ have provisions for a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG).
"¢ It is desirable that the MH weapons/stores system includes a remote function select (RFS) capability.
What is the payload weight of the MK46, and is there a lighter version of it, like the ADCAP? And, how many stores statons? I presume 2, but who knows for sure?
Also, don't cancel your swimming lessons:
Maritime Requirements
The MH will operate in a maritime environment where immediate landing sites are unavailable in the event of an aircraft malfunction or emergency condition. Following an emergency water ditching and shutdown, it is essential that the MH be able to float upright at the surface, for a minimum of two minutes in sea-state three, to allow for egress of the crew and passengers. It is desirable that the MH has the ability to float upright at the surface after shutdown indefinitely in high seas to permit aircraft recovery.
As far as the rear ramp goes, upon polite inquiry, i was told yesterday by the MHP office that the placement of mission consoles is as of yet undetermined, once that is done, the question of a rear ramp will be decided, probably in favour of not having one at all. I have a suspicion, founded on nothing concrete, that 28 complete mission kits will not be installed, even if 28 airframes are purchased.
Collateral the issue of a rear ramp, years ago, I was in a EC130H looking at the "Rivet Fire" system. I was impressed with how modular the system was, and how easy we removed all the gear from the fuselage, consoles, seats and all. Putting it all back in was a different story, but i am sure that has now changed for the better. I am wondering if the new chopper will have a similar characteristic- certainly not in the SOR, but it would make sense to have a machine that can be quickly reconfigured for a new mission ... say on the JSS. Just a thought, I'm sure has crossed more experienced minds than my own ...