Wildcat helicopter as a sniper platform

[100SRV]

Reading a news report where the RN and RM intercepted then stopped a skiff by a sniper shot at the outboard motor I was intrigued by this comment from the pilot: Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight"

Why would flying backwards make the helicopter more stable?
Windy conditions on that day perhaps?

Edited by 100SRV on Sunday 12th October 16:23

[WH16]

The shooter is probably sitting facing backwards, rather than the helicopter flying backwards.

[Tony1963]

WH16 said:

The shooter is probably sitting facing backwards, rather than the helicopter flying backwards.

In which case the pilot wouldn’t refer to it as a career highlight.

[Phud]

Having the helo move rather than hover makes a more stable and predicable platform, sat in the hover there are always small adjustments which would give issues to a sniper.

As for highlight, I can understand that, not often you get to do a live mission

[Jimbo.]

I doubt I could hit a cows arse with a banjo. Yet here we have someone successfully shooting a small outboard on a moving boat, from a moving helicopter. Got to admire the skills and training there!

[WH16]

Tony1963 said:

WH16 said:

The shooter is probably sitting facing backwards, rather than the helicopter flying backwards.

In which case the pilot wouldn t refer to it as a career highlight.

I guess, it's just a bit ambiguously worded. (or maybe I just read it wrong).

[eharding]

Jimbo. said:

I doubt I could hit a cows arse with a banjo. Yet here we have someone successfully shooting a small outboard on a moving boat, from a moving helicopter. Got to admire the skills and training there!

Compare and contrast with the Septics, who also doubt they could hit a cow's arse with a banjo, but absolutely will have a go at hitting a cow's arse (or some Venezuelans) with a $300K AGM-179 JAGM missile (vs the Royal Marines outlay of a fiver on a round of .338 Lapua Magnum or whatever they're using nowadays)

[rodericb]

eharding said:

Jimbo. said:

I doubt I could hit a cows arse with a banjo. Yet here we have someone successfully shooting a small outboard on a moving boat, from a moving helicopter. Got to admire the skills and training there!

Compare and contrast with the Septics, who also doubt they could hit a cow's arse with a banjo, but absolutely will have a go at hitting a cow's arse (or some Venezuelans) with a $300K AGM-179 JAGM missile (vs the Royal Marines outlay of a fiver on a round of .338 Lapua Magnum or whatever they're using nowadays)

The cost versus benefit of deterrence.

You clever kippers could have just paid a local lad fifty quid to steal the boats sparkplug leads instead of keeping a helicopter in the air for hours........

[Joe M]

Shows the stark difference of how we deal with drug runners compared to the USA

[aeropilot]

100SRV said:

Reading a news report where the RN and RM intercepted then stopped a skiff by a sniper shot at the outboard motor I was intrigued by this comment from the pilot: Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight"

Why would flying backwards make the helicopter more stable?

I think its more the case that the sniper is likely sitting in one of the rear seats by the door with the AI pointed forward out of the door, so, going backwards, means the helo is moving but moving very slowly (instead of hovering) thus providing a more stable condition for the Marin to hit the outboard motor.
Its one hell of a shot though.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 13th October 16:35

[POIDH]

100SRV said:

Being the Wildcat pilot carrying out a live weapons firing on drug-running skiffs whilst flying backwards to provide a stable platform for the snipers was definitely a career highlight"

Reports now emerging that the pilot and sniper may be the same person...

[normalbloke]

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I’ve heard it’s something from Accuracy International but I don’t recognise it.

[junglie]

You want the contact on the right hand side of the aircraft so the pilot can see it and use it as a reference.

Sniper also (usually) on right hand side.

Flying backwards - probably to keep the aircraft into wind, maximising available power, whilst batting a fire control solution.

[Tony1963]

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Barrett M82 .50 cal, anti-materiel rather than for neutralising operatives.



I think.

[normalbloke]

Tony1963 said:

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Barrett M82 .50 cal, anti-materiel rather than for neutralising operatives.



I think.

My initial thoughts were Barrett when I heard the story, but it doesn’t look ‘right’. I’m no expert, just curious, and look forward to finding out for sure.

[aeropilot]

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Yep, its a Accuracy International AX50 in .50 BMG with suppressor. Serious bit of kit.

[Tony1963]

aeropilot said:

Yep, its a Accuracy International AX50 in .50 BMG with suppressor. Serious bit of kit.

[normalbloke]

aeropilot said:

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Yep, its an Accuracy International AX50 in .50 BMG with suppressor. Serious bit of kit.

Thank you. I’m not sure he even let off a round. With the length of it with the suppressor on, I’m sure he just leant out and nudged the kill switch on the skiff….

[TGCOTF-dewey]

aeropilot said:

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Yep, its a Accuracy International AX50 in .50 BMG with suppressor. Serious bit of kit.

Slightly off topic, I've always found it incongruous given the UK's strict firearms laws that you can legally own and shoot 50 cal BMG chambered rifle.

[WH16]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

aeropilot said:

normalbloke said:

Back for tea and medals. Anyone recognise the weapon? I ve heard it s something from Accuracy International but I don t recognise it.

Yep, its a Accuracy International AX50 in .50 BMG with suppressor. Serious bit of kit.

Slightly off topic, I've always found it incongruous given the UK's strict firearms laws that you can legally own and shoot 50 cal BMG chambered rifle.

Because they are completely useless except for a few very specific edge cases. If you are planning a mass shooting a 1.5m long, bolt action, 20kg .50 is about the last thing you'd pick. And that's before you consider the price of the ammunition! Also the .50cal club are probably the most closely vetted 'civvy' shooters in the UK and are limited to a handful of ranges. As above they are largely an anti-materiel rifle, rather than anti-personnel.