““So how the heck do we leave a helicopter behind.”
The helicopter was damaged and the only section that wasn’t destroyed was the tail section. Unfortunately, the tail section contained ultra state-of-the-art equipment.
EODGUY”
This is why you only uses top secrete technology in situation in which you can either recover it or the risk is worth the reward.
Our Stealth aircraft need self-destruct systems on them. We need to maintain AT LEAST a 6 to 1 advantage over China technologically.
Sadly we can’t do that with a socialist economy anymore then china can develop her own technology under socialism.
You make a good point about self-destruct mechanisms.
When I enlisted in 1974 (I am older than dirt:) the Top Secret Crypto equipment we used was fitted with thermite devices that could melt a 6 foot tall crypto equipment bank in a matter of minutes.
I was amazed that an automatic self-destruct device was not incorporated within the tail section of the helicopter based on the extremely sensitive it housed.
EODGUY