Posted on 03/23/2008 3:25:50 AM PDT by a_chronic_whiner
... The first five helicopters are due in 2010, a year behind schedule, although the White House made compromises on the requirements to cut costs and speed delivery. Twenty-three more-sophisticated versions are to follow, at which point the current fleet and the first five craft would be retired. But the most recent target date of 2015 for these additional choppers has slipped to an unknown date.
The problems with the second batch have prompted the Pentagon to issue a stop-work order until it determines what to do and Congress provides more money. The Pentagon conducted a review of the project and considered 35 alternatives, but "none of these options meet the full set of White House requirements," Young said.
Britain last year bought six standard EH101 helicopters for about $57 million each -- roughly one-seventh of what it will cost the United States to buy the same aircraft and retrofit it for the president. Critics say that sort of mission creep has become too common. "If it was going to cost $11 billion in the first place, somebody should have said so," said Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), whose district includes Sikorsky's headquarters, said the drastic changes in the helicopter make it a whole new aircraft, so it should be rebid. After all the twists of this project, she said, "We ought to start over."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Yes, Yes, and Yes.
It’s the spending stupid.
And they're still denying inflation. If you go outside the US, it's obvious the dollar isn't worth squat.
Why don’t we just do away with the Office of the President.
That would be a big cost saver.
We can hold a “leader” lotto once a month. Tickets can go for $10 or less.
would = could
The S-92 doesn’t have much of a history compared to the EH-101.
Just like the Tanker deal.. another European model...
S-92, still no crashes with many commercial users
Eh-101, at least 5
these two aircraft’s history speak for themselves I would say.
I’d rather we have the American heli wouldn’t you?
If it’s all the same.
Yes, and if we were going to pay for an entire re-design anyway then why not offer that opportunity to Sikorsky??
Ditto!
It sounds like the American taxpayer is paying for R&D on an entirely new chopper.
It should be rebid.
Airbus McCain would never allow it though.
Why not use a V-22 LE (Luxury Edition!)?
Yet, considering it is based on the H-60 Crashhawk and Sikorsky's track record it's only a matter of time, and exactly how many commercial operators are there, how many hours has the fleet accumulated and how many aircraft are in service?
Eh-101, at least 5
Due to what, mechanical error, design error, pilot error, weather, etc. It's easy to throw out numbers without providing pertinent details.
these two aircraft’s history speak for themselves I would say.
Not based on the information, without substantiation, that you've provided.
BINGO!
And we can likely count on the cost-growth for that project as well! And he consistently avoids picking the best aircraft for the missions. But does anyone bust him on this? No.
And these selections are more proof of the total-disconnect of this White House from true issues of national security.
He thinks it is more important to throw pork barrel to the French and British than it is to keep U.S. industrial capacity.
A RFP that got conveniently IGNORED and steam-rolled by a President out of control (by Americans anyways) using our U.S. tax monies intended for our defense....to play globalist candy-store owner going out of business.
You calling the workhorse of army aviation that name speaks volume.
From Wiki:
Air force grounds Cormorant copters
HALIFAX (CP) - Flight restrictions have again been placed on Canada's fleet of Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters following the crash of a similar aircraft in Britain this week.
The air force said Thursday the Canadian helicopters will only be allowed to fly in emergencies until the tail rotors of each of the 15 aircraft can be inspected.
Lt.-Col. Charles Cue, commander of 413 Squadron in Greenwood, N.S., said the restrictions come following the crash of a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter on Tuesday.
Five people were injured in the crash in Britain.
It is believed the cause of the accident involved cracks in the aircraft's tail rotor.
Cue admitted cracks have been found in the same area on the Cormorants, but said they haven't caused any problems.
"We have had cracking in the tail rotor hub, but we check the hub on a daily basis," he said. "If we find a problem, we take the part off and put a new one on. So far, it hasn't been an issue."
He said the rotors on both the Cormorant and the Merlin are roughly the same.
It's the second time since the beginning of the year that the Cormorants have been placed under restrictions.
In February, concerns were raised about potential fuel leaks.
The Italian-built helicopters have already had problems with cracking windscreens and console brackets.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
A Canadian Forces CH-149 of 413 Squadron based at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia crashed while conducting a night training exercise. Killed in the incident were Sgt. Duane Brazil, 39; Master Cpl. Kirk Noel, 33; and Cpl. Trevor McDavid, 31.
The aircraft was conducting a hoist operation at 12:30 AM local time near a Canadian Coast Guard Vessel. The helicopter ditched near the ship and suffered damage to the forward fuselage but remained floating. All seven crew were recovered from the wreckage. In addition to the three killed, four others were taken to hospital. One of the injured was transported by air ambulance to Halifax for further treatment.
The CH-149 is a Canadian designation for the AgustaWestland EH101 built in Italy. Canada purchased 15 for Search and Rescue duties. This is the first fatal crash in Canadian service. The aircraft were previously grounded due to cracks in critical rotor components which were believed to be the cause of the crash of a British Merlin (EH101) in 2004.
The aircraft involved was number 149914 indicating it was the 14th of the 15 aircraft delivered (serials 149901 to 149915).
And for the rest, do your own research. The internet is a useful tool, albeit imperfect.
Yet, considering it is based on the H-60 Crashhawk and Sikorsky's track record it's only a matter of time
Not based on the information, without substantiation, that you've provided.
Your very own words.
Do as I say, not as I do?
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