U.S.-Russia copter deal faces scrutiny

Associated Press ^ | December 8, 2013 | RICHARD LARDNER

[DJ Taylor]

WASHINGTON — The deal looked sketchy from the start.

To outfit Afghanistan’s 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.

[ansel12]

That was a great read, thanks.

[BBell]

So is New Holland.

[redfreedom]

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.

[MasterGunner01]

The Afghans are already familiar with the Mi-17 Hip. It makes no sense to reequip with a more expensive and sophisticated U.S. helicopter when they're being flown by goat herders. Also, the Mi-17 is much superior to U.S. equipment to fly in the high altitudes of Afghanistan.

[Fred Hayek]

I have also read that the Mi-17 is better in the “hot and high” environment than the Chinook.

[DJ Taylor]

"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.

[hondact200]

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.

[The_Media_never_lie]

DJ: great analysis!

[Sequoyah101]

Shhhhh.

[1010RD]

Thanks for the great insights.

[DJ Taylor]

"Should the SHTF, this old garbage will still be running."

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.