Recent defense-related social media outlets discuss once again with regards to compact gunships after the article about this Janes article where Basler offered its BT-67 gunship, a DC-3 modernized derivative, to the Philippines. And all of these things are once again raising up the question that an answer is widely spread out and needs a contemplative answer: "Is this nation really viable for a gunship?
THE DEFINITION OF CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
The basic idea for a close-air support for the consumption of the civilians is that these kind of aircraft is used to provide air support for the troops in the field especially on the circumstances where soldiers in the field are being pounded by the enemy's heavy artillery or being overwhelmed by the number of troops that will make these adversaries victorious on having the battlefield overrun by them.
Furthermore, close air support aircraft are really helpful in changing the face of the battlefield where it can determine the victory of the troops on the ground as predetermined by the pounding of air artillery on key military positions. Accordingly, it is the hallmark of air supremacy for the armed forces considering that the control of the skies would decide victory.
CONCEPT OF A GUNSHIP
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a gunship refers to a helicopter or cargo aircraft armed with rockets and machine guns. Moreover, it can also refer to the close-air support helicopters the Philippine Air Force have in its arsenal.
The gunships that the article pertains to the ones armed in the cargo aircraft such as the AC-130 Spectre Gunship or the BT-67 Basler offered to the Philippine Air Force. The role of these things are more on the close-air support wherein these birds serve as air artillery that will bombard targets wherein it is also considered as suppression of the target that can inflict physical and psychological damage on the side of the enemy.
Now the question is: Are gunships feasible for the air force?
THE POINTS
The Philippines is an archipelago containing 7,000+ islands. And with this kind of geographical setup requires vast logistical resources which includes cargo planes and amphibious vessels in which AFP obtains. And as per assessment, there are Four C-130 with one arriving soon, three C-295 planes, several F-27 Fokker planes and several smaller planes that complement the airlift division. This first point gives an idea that transforming several planes in the fleet into gunships is not a good idea since the logistics need it so badly for their mission.
Second point. The Air Force already have close air support equipments that it's needed. Those are AW-109Es, MD-520s, OV-10 Broncos, and several others that can drop bombs in enemy positions that is needed. Not to mention that the Super Tucanos are one of the possible winning entry of the Embraer for the Close-Air Support Aircraft Project implemented by the Department of National Defense. These things are cheaper to maintain than a fully-compacted gunship and can deployed from air bases anytime, rendering gunships less viable for Philippine operations.
Third and final point. The gunships serve as an air artillery support for the military. By the mere fact that the geographical area of the Philippines consist of islands, deploying land-based artillery are still considered as the best viable option for the troops on the ground to get support speaking of area suppression. Cannons on the ground and gunships in the air bear the same purpose which is to support the troops on getting rid of the enemy. Yet again, the land-based artilleries are more viable than a spectre gunship.
IN SUMMARY
Gunships are indeed good to have its purpose suited for the military. In these case, the Philippines have enough to suffice its close air support missions or, if there is lacking, it will only be a little more. Overall, gunships may be feasible for the military but it is at best not to acquire it at all. Considering the points given, it is sure enough that the money acquiring for the gunships can allocate to something much important than external defense assets where the country badly needs an upgrade in the face of an enemy.
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| AC-130 Spectre Gunship |
The basic idea for a close-air support for the consumption of the civilians is that these kind of aircraft is used to provide air support for the troops in the field especially on the circumstances where soldiers in the field are being pounded by the enemy's heavy artillery or being overwhelmed by the number of troops that will make these adversaries victorious on having the battlefield overrun by them.
Furthermore, close air support aircraft are really helpful in changing the face of the battlefield where it can determine the victory of the troops on the ground as predetermined by the pounding of air artillery on key military positions. Accordingly, it is the hallmark of air supremacy for the armed forces considering that the control of the skies would decide victory.
CONCEPT OF A GUNSHIP
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a gunship refers to a helicopter or cargo aircraft armed with rockets and machine guns. Moreover, it can also refer to the close-air support helicopters the Philippine Air Force have in its arsenal.
 |
| AW109E of PAF. Not a fully-fledged gunship, but can be considered as one. |
Now the question is: Are gunships feasible for the air force?
THE POINTS
The Philippines is an archipelago containing 7,000+ islands. And with this kind of geographical setup requires vast logistical resources which includes cargo planes and amphibious vessels in which AFP obtains. And as per assessment, there are Four C-130 with one arriving soon, three C-295 planes, several F-27 Fokker planes and several smaller planes that complement the airlift division. This first point gives an idea that transforming several planes in the fleet into gunships is not a good idea since the logistics need it so badly for their mission.
Second point. The Air Force already have close air support equipments that it's needed. Those are AW-109Es, MD-520s, OV-10 Broncos, and several others that can drop bombs in enemy positions that is needed. Not to mention that the Super Tucanos are one of the possible winning entry of the Embraer for the Close-Air Support Aircraft Project implemented by the Department of National Defense. These things are cheaper to maintain than a fully-compacted gunship and can deployed from air bases anytime, rendering gunships less viable for Philippine operations.
Third and final point. The gunships serve as an air artillery support for the military. By the mere fact that the geographical area of the Philippines consist of islands, deploying land-based artillery are still considered as the best viable option for the troops on the ground to get support speaking of area suppression. Cannons on the ground and gunships in the air bear the same purpose which is to support the troops on getting rid of the enemy. Yet again, the land-based artilleries are more viable than a spectre gunship.
IN SUMMARY
Gunships are indeed good to have its purpose suited for the military. In these case, the Philippines have enough to suffice its close air support missions or, if there is lacking, it will only be a little more. Overall, gunships may be feasible for the military but it is at best not to acquire it at all. Considering the points given, it is sure enough that the money acquiring for the gunships can allocate to something much important than external defense assets where the country badly needs an upgrade in the face of an enemy.
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3 comments:
Our troops badly need CAS which can loiter the battlespace for a long time. An AC-47 should be nice although it is almost a relic wherein there might not be parts available anymore. One idea would be to buy Russian HIND helos which may be used as CAS and troop mobility support. And it is important that they have all weather/night flying capabilities.
i beg to disagree with it sir, a dedicated gunship in the form of a military grade transport/cargo plane provide the PAF and the ground troops in particular with a sustainable, long reach, flexible and determined firepower against fixed and mobile targets. The PAF has previous experience with such gunship before, the AC47s. its sustainable since you dont need to move an entire battery of land based towed artillery from one island to another since we know for the fact that both PMC and PA has limited number of these artillery under their command while placing just a few planes in key strategic AFB in the country would be logistic wise a valuble asset to the warfighting ability of the AFP. Long reach since it has the ability to operate on one theater of operations to another, from one island to another with sufficient range with maximum damage at very minimum risk to enemy return fire. Such aircraft can be armed with a howitzer onboard,a twin mounted 40mm cannon then add to its teeth a gatling gun makes it a fire breathing dragon no one wants to mess with or be on its receiving end of its anger. It may even function as a flying command post, do a combat surveillance or it may drop a few paratroops only your imagination can think of plus it has more loiter time over a target area compare to a helicopter gunship with it will compliment.
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