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From: anderson@osl475a.erim.org (Rod Anderson)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: DASH
Message-ID: <1991May24.030222.8771@amd.com>
Date: 23 May 91 13:54:40 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
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Approved: military@amd.com


From: anderson@osl475a.erim.org (Rod Anderson)


wcsswag@ccs.carleton.ca (Alex Klaus) writes:
>I am looking for information about the DASH(Drone AntiSUb Helicopter)

Norman Friedman has a good discussion about DASH in his NAVAL WEAPONS book.
DASH was designed solely to transport one or two lightweight torpedos 
(Mk44's) out to convergence zone ranges.  There were some design problems,
such as lack of control feedback to the operator which made landings 
difficult, especially in rough weather.  Load carrying capacity was 
unacceptable in very hot weather.  And it required deck and hangar stowage 
nearly as great as for a "real" helicopter.   

	DASH had an operational lifetime of roughly 150 hours.  This 
would be quite enough for wartime operations, but was unacceptable for 
use in a peacetime training environment.

	None of the above faults were showstoppers.  However, as NF points
out, the programmatics of the vehicle doomed it to failure.  DASH itself
was designed and produced under BuAer (now NavAirSysCom), while it was 
required to function entirely in a BuShips (NavSea) environment.  Never 
the twain shall meet!

	DASH was a single purpose platform, and can't really be compared
with a true helicopter. 

	By the way, Norman Friedman is coming out with a book on the Gulf
War in August, to be called DESERT VICTORY.  Copies can be reserved by 
calling the Naval Institute Press at 800-233-8764.  It cost $21.95 HB,
$14.95 (paper).  Based on his previous work, I expect this to be an 
excellent treatment.   

Rod Anderson                     |Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
Email: anderson@osl475a.erim.org | Voice/voicemail: 313-994-1200 x2725	
       randerson@vaxb.erim.org	 | Fax: 313-994-0944/3890