APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

In prepping my Afghan scenario I came across a Gunship fitted with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II. As I understand an add-on to the Hydra rockets. So, I was going to load the APKWS onto my Super Cobras, then it occurred to me, the scenario is semi-fictional dated in 2009. Was the APKWS II operational in September 2009. I no longer believe so.

"In February 2012, the Marine Corps deputy commandant for aviation approved the decision to field the system. PMA 242 declared Initial Operational capability (IOC) on March 27. In early March, the APKWS kits were shipped to Afghanistan."

Source: http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/s...i-goes-to-war/.

I identified these units, there maybe others, as I did not check fixed wing aircraft: Units 320 - 322 and 172-173, 192, 500, OOB13 are fitted with the APKWS II, although not approved for service until February 2012 on the Gunship, Vipers, Seahawks, and Super Cobras.

I am not saying the APKWS II load outs prior to March 2012 is an error, just asking for clarification and information.

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Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

That's one for Suhiir as that OOB is mainly hers......**IT COULD BE" they were extensivly " field tested " before " official" approval and that field testing started 2008 ( ??)

users of weapon ID 188 2x APKWS II ASM:

172 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 203 : slot 4 - Available 03/111 to 12/125

173 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 203 : slot 3 - Available 03/111 to 12/125
173 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 203 : slot 4 - Available 03/111 to 12/125

192 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 203 : slot 4 - Available 03/111 to 12/125

320 - UH-1Y Gunship - uClass 221 : slot 3 - Available 09/108 to 12/125

321 - UH-1Y Gunship - uClass 221 : slot 3 - Available 09/108 to 12/125

322 - UH-1Y Gunship - uClass 221 : slot 3 - Available 09/108 to 12/125

500 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 221 : slot 2 - Available 03/112 to 12/125
500 - AH-1Z Viper - uClass 221 : slot 3 - Available 03/112 to 12/125

850 - MH-60R Seahawk* - uClass 222 : slot 3 - Available 03/112 to 12/125
850 - MH-60R Seahawk* - uClass 222 : slot 4 - Available 03/112 to 12/125

OR it could just be an "oops"


Don

Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

You will find the answers backed by plenty of refs in the HELO Thread Page 3/Posts 26, 28 & 29.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob..._41410152.html
http://www.janes.com/article/59646/a...ad-integration

Also from my work list notes the USA has had the AP II operational for about a year now using USN stocks. They are now in full rate production for both services (From a bill paying prospective.). The USAF recently armed the A-10 with them as well I believe.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...s-army-4694118
http://www.armyrecognition.com/octob..._41410152.html

I'm well aware I posted the one ref. twice as it mentions the USMC operational fielding issue again as I submitted originally.

Walking away from the computer now-Good Night!!

Regards,
Pat
:capt:

Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

It has to do with time frames.
In some cases it just makes more sense to have a specific weapon available a little early because otherwise you need to create new units to cover a relatively short time frame.

For instance the UH-1Ys would require 3 new units for the 9/108-2/112 time frame. Call it lazy or "close enough for government work".

Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

Agreed, they aren't battle changers anyway

Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

Often, you just have to make a decision: left, right, up, or down.

Thanks for the information and clarification. I won't load the Cobras with the APKWS in the scenario.

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Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

You could also use the editor to change the APKWS (Weapon #188) to Hydras (Weapon #187).

Re: APKWS II OOB013 Gunships
 

Hmmm. I am flying Super Cobras unit 505 in the OOB13, the Cobra is loaded by default with the twin Hydras, 12 HE and 7 AP. I won't have to use Editor.

The whole question arose when I saw a Gunship unit 320 loaded with the APKWS II with the start date 9/2008. Thanks to the capt I have confirmed my source and your previous post added clarity on the question. Hence, I won't use the Editor to load the APKWS onto my Cobras for my scenario in lieu of the default load out.

Thanks to all responses.

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