FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1958
1958 - 0367.PDF
HT, 21 March 1958 , No tools are needed to assemble the Hiller XROE-1 one-man helicopter, and the operation takes only ten minutes. The photograph on the right suggests this lightweight's dragonfly-like qualities. WHO BELIEVES IN HELICOPTERS?... of individual soldiers and television cameras in aircraft andpilotless reconnaissance drones, including helicopters. Nor is Pentana merely an idea, because the U.S. Army's 101stAirborne Division has already been converted into a lightweight, hard-hitting, completely air-transportable force with 6,000 fewermen than in a conventional airborne division. With its equip- ment, it can be carried in roughly half the aircraft previouslyneeded. Quoting again from the Report:— "In line with the Pentana concept, the basic combat organization ofthe 101st is built on five combat groups somewhat larger than present battalions but smaller than present regiments. Each group contains fiverifle companies and its own artillery mortar battery as well as the usual headquarters and service companies. Its divisional artillery con-tains five 105-mm. howitzer batteries and an 'Honest John' rocket battery. "In support of the basic combat units is an Engineer battalion, one ofwhose important missions is the improvement of areas to permit the landing of assault aircraft such as the C-123. Logistical support iscentralized in a single support group. "To provide the additional communcadons required to support thismobile division, a signal battalion has replaced the normal signal com- pany. The 101st also has a unique organization known as the Commandand Control battalion, which contains not only the divisional head- quarters company but also an aviation company and a reconnaissancetroop, both of which contain aircraft." Other U.S. airborne divisions may soon be reorganized onsimilar lines. On the other hand, any new infantry division will be organized with primary emphasis on its capabilty for sustainedground conibat, as opposed to air transportability, so that it will have heavier fire support than the airborne divisions, plus tanksand armoured personnel carriers. Although this Report refers only to "convertiplanes," it is easyto see how many different types of helicopter would fit into the Pentana concept. Large, comparatively fast machines of theRotodyne type would be ideal assault transports, providing com- plete battlefield mobility and, as at Suez, a convenient means oflanding troops from carriers steaming offshore and of evacuating casualties for speedy treatment on the return shuttle. Far too little has been published about the achievements of theBritish helicopter units (consisting of JEHU and 845 Naval Squadron) at Suez—probably because of the lamentable ending Helicopters perform valuable duties tor oil-drilling enterprises. Seen beyond this exploration rig is a Daman LZ-5 used tor carrying equipment. **. This Bell 47G-2 served with Commandant I. Petitjean's French IGY team in Antarctica.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
