it would be nice to have a budget and manpower to have all the tools and cool toys for forces to have wating for the radio call to action.
a gunship fat chance whether it be ac130, ah64d or any other model out there. we cannot afford the hardware let alone afford the upkeep. that is what you have allies on the net for, provide what you cannot provide. Canada provides the fighting man, boots on the ground, the allies provide the aircraft to move and protect the boots on the ground.
second thought is how long would it take to train a full crew to operate and maintain a ac130 gunship?
2 to 3 years for training, how many millions of dollars would this eat that could be put to better use ?
for sake of arguement 2 years to get the planes and the crews ready for combat, if we start today. that would be beginning of 2009 before the crew would be ready for in country operations. mandate for operations as of now is 2009, unless the government pushes to extend the troops over there for another 3 years. so the gunship crew is in place for a few months then could be sent home and wait for the order to charge again ? waste of money for equipment, training, and ammo.
use some of the older airframes that require replacing anyways? a lot of money for short term weapons systems?
use some of the new fleet for this gunship? we then lose airlift because the airframe would have to be convert to gunship and not easy to put in and take out as the need is there for cargo or guns. cannot do both jobs.
money would be better spent on protection equipment for our new fleet that is being ordered and built.
or we find a nice deep pocket like Alberta or Bill Gates to pay for everything and let them maintain.
No gunships, keep the plan simple.
just my thoughts, but would be cool to see the Maple leaft on a gunship maybe the US forces would give Canada a gift of one or 2 aircraft already converted?