Boeing sale to China skirts ban on technology transfer

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | Feb 5, 2004 | Bill Gertz

[neverdem]

China has obtained military navigation technology from Boeing used on advanced U.S. missiles and warplanes that was improperly approved by the State Department, according to U.S. government officials.

The dual-use commercial-military items, known as QRS11 gyroscopic microchips, were sent to China inside the guidance systems of several Boeing 737-800 commercial jets sold to China Southern Airlines, one of several state-run Chinese airline companies. "We are deeply troubled by the decision to export military items to the [People

[endthematrix]

Boeing sure does have people in high places, but they are some of the lowest denominator, corrupt dealers in the business. Remember it's BUISNESS, the stuff that is supposed to bring China to Upstanding Nation Status (UNS) a model for the world.

[endthematrix]

This is not just about CHINA but all countries who want American technology!

Excerpt of GAO report,Asian Aeronautics: Technology Acquisition Drives Industry Development (Letter Report, 05/04/94, GAO/NSIAD-94-140) about US Aviation deals regarding China/Asia back in 1994:

The four Asian nations we visited--Japan, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan--appear intent on developing their own aeronautics industries. These nations are acquiring technologies developed in the West, building aeronautics products based upon them at lower cost, and trying to improve those products over time. In addition, these countries are attempting to build domestic R&D infrastructures in order to enhance acquired technologies. Carefully applied, this approach allows Asian nations to develop industrial and technological capabilities in a fraction of the time needed to cultivate them from scratch.
Access to Asian markets has become a primary business objective of U.S. and European aircraft manufacturers, and Asian aircraft buyers have responded by demanding a measure of technology transfer with each purchase. This has enabled some Asian companies to become competent in newer and more advanced technologies without incurring all of the risks of development and has allowed U.S. companies to share development costs

[GeronL]

It was bad when Clinton did it,... but its OKAY when Bush does it.

Give technology to China illegally. So what?? we'll just change the law.

cha-ching, Boeing gives money to THE PARTY.

[endthematrix]

Yep. Rumsfeld sees wrongdoing in Boeing tanker talks while Bush budget request aids Boeing, Northrop LOL!

[Jack of all Trades]

No it's not OK in either case. IMHO, it's far better to have this moved through the State Department rather than Commerce. At least in this situation there's public exposure, and an attempt at making public policy. This gives armchair quarterbacks like you and me a chance to kibitz. Back in the Clinton days, it looked like fire sale. Anyone who objected was branded a whack job and a Clinton hater. I doubt that the public knows 1/10th of what got transfered to China in the 90's.

Some of the items that were transfered had a bit more of a direct military application. An example that sticks out in my mind is the combination of a smart satellite dispenser, explodig bolts, and rocket preparation and launch know-how. Bingo - reliable, multi-stage ICBMs with MIRV capability.

IMHO, selling advanced technology to China now is like selling steel to Japan in the 30's, unless that technology is somehow compromised. In this case, how do we know that there isn't a Return_To_Sender option added?

[gaspar]

You want to get your stomach churning? Just enter: corruption Boeing in a Google search.

[RJCogburn]

Uh,oh.
Clintonesque at first reading.

[American in Israel]

Well with that technology, they will be able to build cruise missiles that can circumnavigate the Star Wars system.

Gee, I wonder if they will even get a dime for every American that dies from this Technology transfer. It may not be much money, but with nukes, it could add up to big bucks!!!

[Doctor Stochastic]

...improperly approved by the State Department,...

The article doesn't make this clear. If the State Department is in charge of vetting transfers, what's improper with following the regulating agency's rules? (Of course, failing to be improper doesn't rule out stupid.)

[flamefront]

QRS11 is known as a gyroscope on a microchip

Now for sale from chinameasurement.com

See http://chinameasurement.com/engshowpro.asp?id=388

[americanbychoice]

well, what do you think are the parts inside the Airbus?
I guess we should just tell them to purchase Airbus Industry planes that have the same chips?

[Ben Ficklin]

Its unfortunate that you cannot discern the difference between the decision being made by the State Dept and the Commerce Dept.

[Owen]

Folks,

Really, much ado about nothing. Look here:

http://www.baesystems-gyro.com/Products.htm

BAE has competitive items. As does Thales (France). If they don't get them from inside a 737 and send us money to have them, they'll get them elsewhere.

This is really a fringe thing. It's not an overt, absolute US military advantage at issue. The Chinese, frankly, probably already have sensors like this they build themselves, for less money, that work as well. This is not envelope pushing technology.

[Missouri]

bump

[lelio]

A State Department official involved in the issue said the transfer of the chips inside Boeing 737 control systems was approved orally, without a written authorization, during a period of disruption in U.S. government operations caused by Hurricane Isabel in mid-September.

This just smells sleazy.

Disclosure of the chip transfer comes as the Bush administration is seeking to loosen export controls on defense-related goods to several nations as part of its pro-business policies.

Clintoon doing this is treason. What should we call it under Bush's watch?

[RJCogburn]

Clintoon doing this is treason. What should we call it under Bush's watch?

Best not to call it anything.

[endthematrix]

Remember the the so called West has an embargo on certain items against China. Corruption comes in all forms and peculiar places, the US not withstanding.

[endthematrix]

There is a right and wrong way to conduct business. Clinton directly used his position to solicit for Red China campaign cash. Also his administration was sleeping at DOE and allowed national secrets to be taken by the PRC. Can we say the same for Bush? Time will tell.