USAF was right the first time. The CH-47 should have been the rescue helicopter.

Interesting.

We almost had the Pentagon's worst nightmare come to pass.  What happens when you throw a competition and no one bids?  Well it kinda happened this time...everyone stayed home except for Sikorsky.

The shame of it all is this.  The USAF was right to select the MH-47 as its next rescue helicopter.  When Para-Rescue was at its height it had the HH-53 Jolly Green Giant that it could rely on for either heavy rescue (many persons) or deep rescues.

That capability has been lost for several decades now.  IF the Air Force had been institutionally strong enough to with stand the criticism and defend its choice it would be well positioned for extended rescues over water in the Pacific AND could assist SOCOM in many of its missions...basically because of the capabilities, range and lift power of the MH-47, the nation would be getting two aircraft in one.  A very capable rescue platform and an adhoc penetrator to deliver or retrieve Special Operations personnel.

I'm a fan of the H-60.  I absolutely love the S-92.  But for this mission and with the direction that I see Para-Rescue headed (especially when you consider that they're looking at dropping off at one location traveling maybe 50 miles to rescue a pilot and then 50 miles further in another direction for pickup) the lift power of the MH-47 is needed.

Additionally common sense indicates that the Para-Rescue bubbas are heading toward bigger platoon sizes, just as Scout Snipers have done.  The days of a pair of Para-Rescue fast roping in as a team of two and fighting off the bad guys with a knife in one hand and a syringe of morphine in the other are as dead as disco.

Grow some balls Air Force.  Either pick the MH-47 or wait on the CH-53K.  The days of small rescue helos is over.