My thoughts on the Apache that was shot down by Iran:
I cannot begin to explain how lucky that Apache crew was that was shot down. Yes, UXOs happen, but that is just part of the luck (especially since it was on fire!).
Apaches have a tandem cockpit, which means the pilots sit one in front of the other, like a fighter jet, rather than side by side like most helicopters.
The fact that the drone hit between the two pilots without actually hitting one of the pilots is just wild…there isn’t that much room for that not to happen.
Then, having to ditch in the Strait of Hormuz after a drone crashes into you and your helicopter is on fire with flames likely filling your line of sight. Sounds like they likely did power-on ditching procedures, but once they jettison the canopy and hit the water things happen fast. Helicopters roll when they hit the water and start to fill up with water. It’s very disorienting and the water is dark. You also still have to worry about the rotor blades.
When train for this. We refer to it as “dunker training.” But in the span of most standard Army pilots careers, they usually only complete the initial training, not the annual follow on training that is preferred.
The pilots were able to get out and find each other and wait in the water for two hours while a drone boat came and rescued them…. Technology that those pilots likely didn’t even know existed until it picked them up.
A lot of things that could have and likely should have gone wrong, didn’t. Things very easily could have ended much differently.
Very grateful those pilots are ok. 🇺🇸🙏