RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,161508,00.html The systems that are now in the field are proving their effectiveness & worth everyday, both on reconnaissance & hitting targets, as well as saving the lives of our own. To hold back on this very proven & promising development is foolhardy to say the least....
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: NAVBLK4,
I sure hope they get the funding, this is the best way to save our soldiers. They have proven over and over they are worth it. Wish they had more from the beginning.
I totally agree that these items are great and we should go ahead full speed to obtain and develop them as we recognize the needs and requiremnets. However, NOW is the time to grab these contractors by the nuts a demand a reasonale price for the products we're buying! Not these over inflated cost/price numbers we being handed! We must also quit allowing these contractors to "gold plate" this stuff to obain a percentage of so called quality that is beyond that necessary, on the high end of the scale, to do the job effectively.
By now, we all should know we can't count on our so called "elected" members of the government, ie: Robert "Sheets" Byrd (D), to do ANYTHING but attempt to spend as much money in their districts as possible, form any source, regardless of how wasteful it may be. A close look at who is doing what is in order for every one of them! Citizens must toss our the rats at election time. A strong defense is one thing. Wasteful spending for political gain is another. (This MUST GO FOR SOCIAL PROGRAM ALSO!!)
Do the Math!! On most of these equipment requests, you'll see that is simply impossible for the costs of these designs to be this high. Graft exists! Someone is funding a nice CD for some future retiree from the active duty side of these programs for when he/she gets out! Oh PLEASE,.. don't any of you guys feign "shock that I would suggest this of our brave and dedicated leaders!!". These people are human and just as suseptable to temptation as anyone else. It is not the first and will not be the last time this form of corruption is attempted, be it sucessful or not.
We've all seen the cost over-runs for years within the Military/Industrial Complex warned about by Pres. Eisenhower. They seem clearly visible in this program. My kids an AF pilot and I want the best for him and his buds, but I refuse to let some greedy rats rip us off just because they can and we don't stop them! Our nation deserves to get what we are paying for and at a reasonable cost. We must not continue to allow our funds/taxes to be stolen re-buying existing technology. This has happaned time after time after time. (Do any of you think it really costs over $300 to make an M-16 today with all the equipment that we've purchased over the time we've had it? Go look up what we're paying for them!)
We should be aboe to see, looking at these "drones" & their counter parts, that there is not much new in making a smaller airplane and pushing it with an existing engine. For the most part, the tech gear is "off the shelf", as is the ordnance. The como gear, satelites, computers etc. also exist. So,..lets see some cost justification before we hand the gun to the crooks that are more than willing and waiting to rob us with it if we're dumb enough to let them!!
That's a lot of money for the drones. But if it keeps Americas interests safe. So be it. We should sell of the F-16's that are grounded too, once they get a clean bill of health. This would enable the Us to convert the sales of the f-16's to buy more F-22 Raptors also.
Tomorrow’s aircraft have now been successfully demonstrated today with these drones. Like all aircraft, they will be continuously fine tuned and upgraded as they mature. Their capabilities will be ever expanded and their usefulness explored to meet the mission requirements of not only the military services (all of them) but also in civilian, agriculture and scientific applications throughout the world. This technology should be fully funded and given the green-light to go forward for the betterment of mankind. The lessons learned from the military applications will easily lend themselves to the applications mentioned previously. This is exciting to witness this next evolution of mans quest for flight. Soon it will not be surprising to see the morning traffic and weather reports/pictures we how have on TV from helicopters come from a drone with narration and explanation of what we are seeing coming from a studio somewhere. Progress of mankind is so interesting.
The more "Death from Above" the better. Despite all the corruption involved in delivering these weapon systems to the field, they are worth every dollar now. The future is now. Later is when we can worry about getting more bang for the buck. These weapons are priceless to the boots on the ground who don't care about how much they cost,just that they kill the enemy. From a former Marine Aviation Ordnance Missile Technician. AO 6541
Originally posted by ywbm777: The more "Death from Above" the better. Despite all the corruption involved in delivering these weapon systems to the field, they are worth every dollar now. The future is now. Later is when we can worry about getting more bang for the buck. These weapons are priceless to the boots on the ground who don't care about how much they cost,just that they kill the enemy. From a former Marine Aviation Ordnance Missile Technician. AO 6541
Saw a Predator drone a few months ago at a show, issued to National Guard. These shows could be an effective tool to educate the public on their purpose, mission, cost to operate, advantages, etc.
SOUNDS LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF DUFUSES IS STILL AT WORK, REPLICATING EFFORTS AND FIGHTING TURF BATTLES!!! THIS MUST CHANGE! WE CAN'T EVEN BUY 4 HELICOPTERS FOR THE PRESIDENT!
