Kiowas no longer an option for selection?

[fatbretcantjump]

I just started Instruments... apparently there are people in BWS right now that are being told that there will be no more Kiowa classes... (and no Chinook classes for FY14).

 

Can anyone shed any more light on this? Say it ain't so!!!

[Lindsey]

There is a class that selects on Wednesday. I guess we'll see. But f**k I hope it's just a disgusting rumor.

[akscott60]

Interesting.....

[redpatcher]

So... its 60's or 64's... interdesting.. I hope you're right Lindsey. I really have fallen in love with the 58's.

[WaterRooster]

OK, So I select Wednesday and as of right now:

 

Class ahead of me, had 58's

My class, were told we have the option, but we will see on Wed.

Class behind me was told the decision is being made and its up in the air.

 

47's is correct, there are very, very ,very few slots available right now. Last class had 1, and our class will have 1. That between LT and WO. So we will see who gets it.

 

That's all I have now, Ill let you know more Wednesday

[Justine]

as far as Guard side goes, MO has moved from the A to the Lakota. My room mate claims Guard is losing their 64 assets but I don't see that happening since we have a CAB.

[akscott60]

Good luck WR. I thought about selection every day from basic till the time I had my name called and said 58s.

[Rob1237051]

Kiowas will continue to be an option for the foreseeable future according to the BDE CDR as of today.

 

Edit: There will be (some) chinook slots in fy 14 according to the CH FS21 CO CDR as of 2 months ago.

 

Edit2: Anyone telling you otherwise is probably speculating on possible second round sequestration cuts. I was an instructor on fort rucker during the first round right before I was selected. There were rumors of abandoning the FS21 model, completely halting training for a few months and all kinds of sky is falling nonsense.

 

Then again some rumors are true so maybe you've found the inside connection to the magic 8 ball.

[Lindsey]

Kiowas will continue to be an option for the foreseeable future according to the BDE CDR as of today.

 

Edit: There will be (some) chinook slots in fy 14 according to the CH FS21 CO CDR as of 2 months ago.

 

[Yamer]

i heard the same thing justine... i doubt it will happen

[d10]

Why would you want to choose an airframe that clearly has no future in the Army anyway?

[redpatcher]

Because its cool lol

[UH60L-IP]

Why would you want to choose an airframe that clearly has no future in the Army anyway?

 

This.

 

The Kiowa is a neat little aircraft. I've been on a few test flights, shot the guns, and gotten a taste of what they do. I think it is a worthy mission and the pilots seem to love it.

 

However, and this is what anyone entering into service needs to seriously consider. They are at the end of their life and they will not be replaced, period. They are a dying breed. Even for those that do get a slot, they have to think about their own professional career and whether the Kiowa supports that path.

 

Sad, but true.

[Joe_P148]

I agree with D-10 and UH60 IP.

 

 

You guys need to stop thinking about what is cool and start thinking about what will give you the best chance of being successful in the Army. Are Kiowas cool? Yeah they are. But you may choose 58's and then see them phased out starting you 4 years out of flight school in an already crowded field trying to learn a new aircraft, make PC, track and get picked up for CW3.

 

There is a reason why there are cutting back on the airframe both 47s and 58s. The 47 community is swamped with pilots and the promotion rates in that airframe have, at least in the last 6 years been a little below average. It is expensive to fly and making PC in that airframe take a while.

[Justine]

i heard the same thing justine... i doubt it will happen

who told you? Im going to ask this week

[SBuzzkill]

I love the aircraft and love the mission it is meant to fly. But it sucks to be a Kiowa guy.

[Yamer]

fort eustis 15R instructors.... active duty.... i havent heard anything at my unit about it and everyone at my unit says quite the opposite

[akscott60]

Well, three of the four airframes available at selection are currently produced. The odds of the Army caning the apache, hawk, or hook are non existent.

 

I f*cking love the 58. However the writing is on the wall. And don't think by choosing it you shoehorn a transition to its replacement. I do not see it being replaced.

[redpatcher]

So, the Lakota.. what is the deal with that. From what Ive read about it, its not being used for combat operations. Anyone see it being re purposed as a observation aircraft?

[akscott60]

EADS has marketed an armed scout version of the EC145. However, since until a few days ago we lacked money to gas our helicopter, and another round of sequestration cuts are looming, I see a Kiowa replacement as a mere dream.

[Optamix]

One of my BOLC instructors just told us that 58s are going away. They are still available for selection but you will retrain to another airframe.

 

She said no time frame has been given though.

[akscott60]

All of us in the community are hearing rumors and rumblings like this.

[SBuzzkill]

Time to start prepping my DCA packet.

[Justine]

So, the Lakota.. what is the deal with that. From what Ive read about it, its not being used for combat operations. Anyone see it being re purposed as a observation aircraft?

its a state side mission from my understanding, just for ARNG and even maintained by civilians

[akscott60]

Time to start prepping my DCA packet.

Go for it dude.