tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post114776130490565317..comments2023-11-05T23:25:31.498+11:00Comments on Wot Is It Good 4: Politics Quashed FactsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147833207730641002006-05-17T12:33:00.000+10:002006-05-17T12:33:00.000+10:00another major scandal.those amateurish forgeries h...<I>another major scandal.<BR/><BR/>those amateurish forgeries have cost how much so far?</I><BR/><BR/>...and damn few details will be covered by the MSM anywhere...Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909379290909753137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147833106976844092006-05-17T12:31:00.000+10:002006-05-17T12:31:00.000+10:00Sorry, Kathleen, the aircraft nut in me got loose ...Sorry, Kathleen, the aircraft nut in me got loose for a moment. From Pennsylvania to Texas to Maryland (home of Lockheed) to Rome, you know someone got greased. While the army might be getting the right equipment (for once), your point on the politicization of the whole thing was well made.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909379290909753137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147813797793180462006-05-17T07:09:00.000+10:002006-05-17T07:09:00.000+10:00Don, I'm not an engineer, so I cannot speak to ...Don, <BR/> I'm not an engineer, so I cannot speak to the pros and cons of the competing designs. I do know that CT. is a true blue state, tho and thankfully, the new Italian gov't is launching investigations into Italy's role in the whole Iraq fiasco, Niger forgeries, et al. Thanks for your clarifications.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147809101171284042006-05-17T05:51:00.000+10:002006-05-17T05:51:00.000+10:00From Wikipedia:AgustaWestland opened offices in Ph...From <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland" REL="nofollow">Wikipedia</A>:<BR/><BR/><I>AgustaWestland opened offices in Philadelphia in 2005, and won a contract to build the new presidential helicopter Marine One and possible future Army contracts with congressman Curt Weldon's support, over the U.S. manufacter Sikorsky Helicopter.<BR/><BR/>Weldon's daughter Kim works for the AgustaWestland, handling public relations. She is prohibited from lobbying congress or contacting her father or his office on the company's behalf.</I><BR/><BR/>So, Weldon, Cheney, and God knows who in Texas.<BR/><BR/>Politics and politics, and not all overseas...Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909379290909753137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147808782844883442006-05-17T05:46:00.000+10:002006-05-17T05:46:00.000+10:00Apologies and Correction: the NAM article does not...Apologies and Correction: the NAM article does note the Lockheed/Bell partnerships.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909379290909753137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147808162589429682006-05-17T05:36:00.000+10:002006-05-17T05:36:00.000+10:00Re: HelicoptersThe aircraft itself, the US-101, is...Re: Helicopters<BR/><BR/>The aircraft itself, <A HREF="http://www.teamus101.com/index.cfm" REL="nofollow">the US-101</A>, is an Anglo-Italian design (<A HREF="http://www.agustawestlandinc.com/about101.html" REL="nofollow">the EH101</A>)and maintains a high percentage of UK content.<BR/><BR/>What the <A HREF="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=e5f90f38b05836fede6d7b5a217b3a40" REL="nofollow">article </A> fails to mention is that any foreign company submitting for a defence procurement contract is required (by law, I believe) to have a US parter. In this case, it's Lockheed Martin (with whom Lynne Cheney has ties) and Bell Helicopters (of Texas).<BR/><BR/>That said, this may be one instance where the better proposal did win. The 101 had a proven track record with 5 air arms before the Sikorsky S-92 even flew. It's a 'mature' system with development paid and the kinks worked out. Reports I've read suggest strongly that the 101 outflys, outlasts, and all-around outperforms its competition.<BR/><BR/>Selected for the 'Marine One' role, it's also in competition for the Combat Search & Rescue replacement helicopter requirement.<BR/><BR/>While there may very well be political undertones to the deals, if selected, the service will actually be getting the right equipment for the job.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09909379290909753137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5194776.post-1147800769509000972006-05-17T03:32:00.000+10:002006-05-17T03:32:00.000+10:00Go to New America Media.com and read the article a...Go to New America Media.com and read the article about the contract for presidential helicopters being awarded to an Italian company instead of Sikorski in CT., as payback for Italy's role in procuring the Yellowcake Niger forgeries. So somebody helped them, in a big way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com