The MV-22 has been at HMX-1 for a little while now.
Yesterday they flew their first mission in support of the Commander in Chief.
Regardless of the President's politics or political party isn't this a waste? I mean seriously! Why couldn't a new build Army UH-60L or a MH-60R able to do this duty? Instead we have a niche platform that is supposedly in short supply and recommended for cancellation used to ferry around cargo and extra personnel for the Chief Executive. Instead of a 28 million dollar helicopter we are using a squadron of 70 million dollar planes.
And we're suppose to be heading toward crushing austerity in the military?
Or is this simply a play by the Marine Corps to get the next Presidential Helicopter to be the MV-22? It sure looks like it and if this is the case then the game is rigged.
Don't forget the EH 101 that we bought to do the job and the sold them to Canada.
ReplyDeletei remember that well. truly a case of misplaced nationalism (me included) and a lost opportunity. that would have been a great helo.
DeleteBush didn't do a good job of selling it to the public...especially since he used globalism as the reason why we should proceed. the public was already hurting and seeing the President flying in what was perceived as a foreign helicopter was just a step too far.
e public was already hurting and seeing the President flying in what was perceived as a foreign helicopter was just a step too far.
DeleteBush actually flew on one of those?
Do not feel bad Solomon, most people missed this small detail:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGsL_5nV68A
One of the requirements was the chopper had to be air transportable in a C-17. This is technically air transportable. These are good aircraft, but could you imagine doing this every time the president traveled? Also the Canadian's bought these as SPARE PARTS. That has been the one ongoing issue with this air frame. Poor vendor support.
An aircraft with a higher chance of mishapping out than a helo. Not suitable for the job of carrying around a President.
ReplyDeletematters on which one.
DeleteOh Eric, you are always so funny.
Deletehttp://home.scarlet.be/~jansensa/ObamaLeavesV22Amman220708.jpg
Now tell us about your upgraded super F-111 again.
It's not a white top. The Prez will still use his regular ride. This honey will haul press and lesser staff
ReplyDeleteyeah but how long will the Pres ride in a plane thats older than what his dog and staff fly in ? this is a setup to get the V-22 to be the next presidential helo.
DeleteStill think it's unlikely. the South lawn wouldn't take it and the down wash would destroy the landscaping
DeleteThe other alternative that has been pitched is the Chinook, which would be worse.
DeleteVH-60Ns won't work.
ReplyDeleteI hope the game is rigged. The last presidential helicopter program was a freaking debacle. like it or not the Osprey is now an off the shelf program. and I would rather spend more on Ospreys than billions on nothing like last time.
ReplyDeleteOnly Sikorsky Aircraft with the Sikorsky S-92(VH-92)is likely to bid on the new VXX program so far. The new requirements lowered the number of people the VXX had to carry as well as shortening its range and simplifying its communications.
ReplyDeleteBoeing, Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland all declined to take part in the project.
The Sikorsky S-92(VH-92)will replace both the current VH-3Ds and the VH-60Ns.
Probably only the next POTUS will be flying with the new helo. Maybe President Obama and family might have the honor to fly from the Capitol to Andrews AFB in January 2017.