RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,190138,00.html This is INSANE. "Moreover, with about $3.3 billion already sunk into the program, AgustaWestland argues it can deliver 19 more Increment 1 variants for another $3.5 billion." WHY DO WE NEED THIS? WHAT WILL THE ACTUAL NET COST BE? THE STIMULUS SHOULD START HERE, SAVING $3.5 BN PER UNIT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN GETTING US OUT OF THIS STINKING HOLE.
the Federal Government does not need any money. Its those greedy CEO's who need the money from the feds so they can stuff it in their pickets and mess the economy up once again.
They should forever keep the VH-71. That helo has a lot of history behind it and that one helo alone represents so much.
This program should definitely be scrapped and the requirement reassessed. The current fleet should be replaced soon since the only thing keeping these ancient choppers in the air is the magnificent maintenance by the ground crews. Sooner rather than later, the availability of replacement parts will ground these birds and no amount of hard work will keep them airborne. Since the president only flies short stints in Marine One, it does not have to have all of the bells and whistles the Agusta Westland product has. The Pentagon needs to pick an American helicopter to be the most visible whirlybird in the world. Bell, Sikorski and Boeing are quite capable of providing an aircraft that can transport the leader of the free world in the safety and comfort deserved by anyone in that position.
The Pentagon needs to pick an American helicopter to be the most visible whirlybird in the world. Bell, Sikorski and Boeing are quite capable of providing an aircraft that can transport the leader of the free world in the safety and comfort deserved by anyone in that position.
There's a contradiction in that statement, can anybody spot it?
