You remember correctly! In the early 1990s the Chicoms bought a huge milling machine called the FROREAP surplus for $250,000 (original cost $6M) from the B1 bomber division of Rockwell. This machine allowed the Chicoms to make quieter props for their subs. Over strenuous objections from DoD, the State Dept. allowed the sale; State saw the Chinese as our friends. To add insult to injury, this took place before Clinton, under the Bush Administration! I have personal knowledge; at the time I was an engineer at Rockwell. When will we learn?
That is absolutely sickening!
Grumman also sold, with Clinton's approval, a couple of five axis milling machines that were used by Grumman to mill out the airframbe of the A-6 Intruder from a single block of aluminum alloy.