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Is it likely a pod will be developed for the F-35B to carry Special Forces internally and drop them behind enemy lines? Which, could be dropped by parachute or the aircraft could land and the troops would just exit the pods........ Wink

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Elite 3K Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 3098 Status: Offline

I seem to recall hearing something about troop carrying pods being considered for the AV-8B Harrier, but not much ever came from it that I've ever heard of.

If the description of this image is accurate, such a pod wouldn't be the first time people have been transported in pods slung under a fighter.

I found this image at http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/p38.htm - it's "Image 31 - Lightning ambulance pods."

I'm game to fly in one - especially if it'll save my life Thumb

!

Yes, I remember the Harrier Pods. Of course the big difference is the Lightning would be much harder to detect and would have longer range at that............

The UK developed a pod for the Harrier which was successfully tested but never used operationally.

I'm trying to find photos of it but no luck at the moment.

Andy

The Avpro mount apparently caused stability issues on the SHar, which had enough trouble with the twin underwing AIM120 rails. I don't know if it was tried on a big wing harrier. Ear defenders would not be optional!

I was going to scan in an image of a Fairey Barracuda with a man-carrying pannier under each wing but have now realised I have a dead scanner....

A quick google for it found this site though. It is poorly formatted page but is worth the long download (if, like me, you do not have anything better to do on a wet Sunday afternoon):

http://www.combatreform2.com/escape.htm

http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/jsfspecops.htm

http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/sld001.htm

Here are a couple of images from the first site:

Is this a new way of torturing? Vibrations, noise and what will happen if the jet makes evasive manoeuvres with 5.5 - 7G? This rules out high subsonic medvac but it can be useful as a new way of CSAR. An advantage is, that you are already in an aerodynamic coffin or 'stairway to Heaven' if the sh*t hits the fan.

In the nineties, I saw a drawing of a similar 'man-pod' under the stub wings of an Apache, is this being used by any armed force?

How much time will it take, to dis-embark or embark this kind of pod?, hopefully it will take less than 60 seconds.

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 1003 Status: Offline

Well, at least they are not packing four guys radially in a pod designed to be dropped like a bomb. A pod which will then split open and eject the guys in it like sub-munitions in a cluster bomb.

I was of course talking about carrying the pods internally and not to loose the advantages of the Stealthy F-35........

Enthusiast Joined: May 08, 2005 Posts: 69 Status: Offline

Still, I wouldn't sign for it.
Looks like a very fancy way to commit suicide. Or at least wet your pants.

It would however be a nice way to show up at a party.

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 1003 Status: Offline

Corsair1963 wrote:

I was of course talking about carrying the pods internally and not to loose the advantages of the Stealthy F-35........

The bays are definitely big enough. They are >3.7 m long and between ~0.46 and ~0.9 meters wide across (depending on how high in the bay you are measuring as the bays are trapezoidal in cross section). The question is why you'll want to send a STOVL fighter into enemy territory, have it hand vertically, drop off 2~4 dudes, possibly waste tons of fuel getting airborne vertically, then fly back?

dwightlooi wrote:

Corsair1963 wrote:

I was of course talking about carrying the pods internally and not to loose the advantages of the Stealthy F-35........

The bays are definitely big enough. They are >3.7 m long and between ~0.46 and ~0.9 meters wide across (depending on how high in the bay you are measuring as the bays are trapezoidal in cross section). The question is why you'll want to send a STOVL fighter into enemy territory, have it hand vertically, drop off 2~4 dudes, possibly waste tons of fuel getting airborne vertically, then fly back?

To insert special forces covertly behind enemy lines at a respectable distance! Which, is nearly impossible from a high flying C-130 and/or low flying Helo............. Confused

Elite 1K Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 1003 Status: Offline

Corsair1963 wrote:

To insert special forces covertly behind enemy lines at a respectable distance! Which, is nearly impossible from a high flying C-130 and/or low flying Helo............. Confused

Say hello to the V-22?

dwightlooi wrote:

Corsair1963 wrote:

To insert special forces covertly behind enemy lines at a respectable distance! Which, is nearly impossible from a high flying C-130 and/or low flying Helo............. Confused

Say hello to the V-22?

Well, the whole point would be to deliver a small number of commando's at a distances and in a Stealthy Package. Sorry, but the V-22 is about as Stealthy as a "Barn"! Confused

Corsair1963 wrote:

Well, the whole point would be to deliver a small number of commando's at a distances and in a Stealthy Package. Sorry, but the V-22 is about as Stealthy as a "Barn"! Confused

The lads better bring good shoes and plenty of supplies for that "distant" walk home Laughing

Enthusiast Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 32

Say hello to the RAH-66 Comanche, wait it's no more. Crying or Very sad

It could do long range flights right?

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F-35B and Special Forces?