Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

US offensive in bid to sell F-18 jets to Brazil
AFP ^ | 2/26/2010 | AFP

Posted on 02/26/2010 7:55:56 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld

The arrival of a giant US aircraft carrier here Friday with F/A-18 jet fighters aboard is a step in Washington's offensive to win a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply Brazil's air force with modern jet fighters.

US Rear Admiral Ted Branch told reporters that the visit of the USS Carl Vinson is aimed at improving ties with the Brazilian navy following mercy operations in quake-stricken Haiti, and work with Brazilian personnel from the UN peacekeeping force in that country.

However, the presence of the nuclear powered craft and the Super Hornet fighters on its deck, along with Boeing representatives on land, are a clear sign of a US push to convince Brazil to buy the US-made planes.

Brazil's air force is seeking to buy 36 new jet fighters, and will choose between three finalists: France's Rafale, a fighter made by Dassault; the Gripen NG jet from Sweden's Saab; and the F/A-18 Super Hornet from US group Boeing.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is seen as only having an outside chance against the French and Swedish planes because of past US refusal to allow Brazil to export aircraft using US technology.

Branch refused to compare the three fighters, but he did tell reporters that the F/A-18 was a "multi-role, combat proven, mainline combat fighter" that was a "very capable platform."

At port and standing a mere 500 meters (yards) from the gigantic Carl Vinson was Boeing representative Michel Coggins, who told reporters that next week's visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will show that "a partnership with the US makes a lot of sense for Brazil."

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; boeing; brazil; cvn70; f18; navair; superhornet; usscarlvinson

1 posted on 02/26/2010 7:55:56 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Ping.


2 posted on 02/26/2010 7:58:53 PM PST by Army Air Corps (Four fried chickens and a coke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Its a fantastic idea to have a nuclear Nimitz carrier to show off your product.


3 posted on 02/26/2010 8:01:33 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

It’s a heck of a sales pitch. Not one that the French or the Swedes will be duplicating any time soon. :-)

The Rafale and the Gripen are good planes... but hey, so is the F-18. Good luck Boeing.


4 posted on 02/26/2010 8:11:37 PM PST by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

A view of aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, at Guanabara Bay, with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, in Rio de Janeiro February 26, 2010. The aircraft carrier arrived in Brazil on Friday, just a few weeks after taking part in Operation Unified Response, the international humanitarian aid mission in Haiti. Carl Vinson stopped in Rio de Janeiro while on its way to dock in San Diego, California.


5 posted on 02/26/2010 8:16:40 PM PST by iowamark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: iowamark

Whoever thought of having Hornets on the deck of a aircraft carrier should be given a raise.


6 posted on 02/26/2010 8:18:47 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld ("I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution."-Dr.Wernher Von Braun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: magslinger

ping


7 posted on 02/26/2010 8:20:52 PM PST by Vroomfondel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Yes Senor, the Hornet is very nice. By the way, how many Embraer KC-390s is the USAF interested in buying?


8 posted on 02/27/2010 5:30:12 AM PST by Oztrich Boy (great thing about being a cynic: you can enjoy being proved wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vroomfondel; SC Swamp Fox; Fred Hayek; NY Attitude; P3_Acoustic; Bean Counter; investigateworld; ...
SONOBUOY PING!

Click on pic for past Navair pings.

Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.

9 posted on 02/27/2010 5:31:27 AM PST by magslinger (Cry MALAISE! and let slip the dogs of incompetence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove
For Brazil's geography, all they need is the Grippen NG. Small, easy to maintain, and affordable to fly.

The F/A-18E/F is way too much fighter for that neck of the woods, and the Rafale means you have to deal with France for maintenance spares, where they've stuck it to Mirage operators in the past.

10 posted on 02/27/2010 9:56:28 AM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson