It turns out the Bell Model 608 wasn't a part of LAMPS, but an earlier program called LASH. I just discovered this program at SPF in a comment from Stephane.
Anyone know more about it?
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It should be noted this lesser-known program predates LAMPS (Mk.I of which began in October 1970), somewhere in the 1960's timeframe, as evident by this Vertiflite article dated 1968:
The more I read into it, the more I come to the conclusion that LASH shortly became LAMPS around the time the UH-2 Seasprites were re-engined with more powerful T58s. As far as I can tell, the naval requirements are not very different. Here the navy was in the late 60s with the urgent need of light ASW helicopter to assist surface fleets, so they issue the request for development of a helicopter fitted for the role.
Now, the Seasprite wasn't selected until October 1970 of the LAMPS program. Unless LASH only indicated the class of aircraft, I assume it was an early conception of LAMPS, before possible changes were made that allowed the selection of the Seasprite as the dedicated LAMPS I airframe.
-- Edited by SuperStallion on Sunday 10th of June 2012 12:13:27 AM
I admit, at least some of that makes sense. Remember that Hughes submitted a navalized OH-6 to the program in 1969, obviously before the UH-2 came into the picture. It was definitely a light bird, and did carry ASW equipment to LAMPS standard, even though the program seems to have bore that acronym a year later.
But, of course, the OH-6 was quite a stretch. Sure it was light and all, but it was far too small. Perhaps this is where requirements were either changed or clarified a bit more, which eventually led to the selection of the UH-2?
This is the first time I 've heard of an actual LAMPS type program shortly before the acronym was coined. Though your posts are clearly guesswork, I think they are the most plausible explanations as to what came of it. Thanks for this.
Hi everyone. LASH was a Navy test program involving a manned platform variation on the DASH program (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter). It was basically in initiative to develop a replacement to the QH-50 but as a manned aircraft. It began as the LAAV test program (Light Airborne ASW Attack Vehicle) designed to be an alternative to DASH. The Navy used an Army YOH-6A in 1967 to conduct sea trials on board the USS Hawkins in order to evaluate it as a manned ASW platform, and it was flown by the Maryland-based test squadron AIRTEVRON ONE (VX-1). Around 1968-69 this was replaced by the LASH program which also saw the use of an experimental Hughes 500 variant for ASW purposes.
Unfortunately not much else is known.
-- Edited by KQstardust on Tuesday 7th of April 2020 08:59:52 PM
The Agusta A.106 was only evaluated for the Italian navy, it was never a contender for the US navy ASW programmes (not even LAMPS) and they only built two prototypes in the mid 60s, it wasnt produced.
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Hi everyone. LASH was a Navy test program involving a manned platform variation on the DASH program (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter). It was basically in initiative to develop a replacement to the QH-50 but as a manned aircraft. It began as the LAAV test program (Light Airborne ASW Attack Vehicle) designed to be an alternative to DASH. The Navy used an Army YOH-6A in 1967 to conduct sea trials on board the USS Hawkins in order to evaluate it as a manned ASW platform, and it was flown by the Maryland-based test squadron AIRTEVRON ONE (VX-1). Around 1968-69 this was replaced by the LASH program which also saw the use of an experimental Hughes 500 variant for ASW purposes.
Unfortunately not much else is known.
Thanks! This at least get us a little closer to some significant answers.
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