Posted on 12/08/2013 9:21:54 AM PST by DJ Taylor
WASHINGTON The deal looked sketchy from the start.
To outfit Afghanistans security forces with new helicopters, the Pentagon bypassed U.S. companies and turned instead to Moscow for dozens of Russian Mi-17 rotorcraft at a cost of more than $1 billion.
Senior Pentagon officials assured skeptical members of Congress that the Department of Defense had made the right call. They repeatedly cited a top-secret 2010 study they said named the Mi-17 as the superior choice.
Turns out the study told a very different story, according to unclassified excerpts obtained by The Associated Press.
(Excerpt) Read more at hawaiitribune-herald.com ...
That was a great read, thanks.
So is New Holland.
I agree. We have a 1958 two banger, never had rings, used all the time, starts right up. Also have a 59 Ford F700.
This is not entirely off topic because the durability of this old stuff can be likened to the Russian engineering in that you can beat it to death all day long and at the end of the day it begs for more.
Should the SHTF, this old garbage will still be running.
I have also read that the Mi-17 is better in the “hot and high” environment than the Chinook.
After a series of Chinook crashes in Vietnam, we had a negative opinion of the Chinook and referred to it as the $*it-hook. There was also an oft repeated joke that the Chinook was the only aircraft in the world that could have a mid-air collision with its self.
Current Army Aviation spokesmen claim there is little similarity between todays Chinooks and Vietnam era models, but I'm still not convinced.
Known as Case New Holland (CNH)Global. Came about when Case merged with New holland in Europe. Both John Deere and New Holland have been in Russia since 2010. I did find out that Case was there since 1895.
What the heck it is time I get rid of John Deere Zero Turn and get an Ariens or Gravely. The quality is not in John Deere anymore.
DJ: great analysis!
Shhhhh.
Thanks for the great insights.
You are absolutely correct. If a multi-megaton nuke is ever detonated over the United States, the EMP released will destroy the electronics in almost every vehicle manufactured since 1990.
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.