Precious Black Hawk

[Skybird]

Thanks!

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

I love IMDB.COM because of the fun "trivia" insights.

:p

Yea i visit IMDB for reviews on movies but it can be misleading, like if 9 ppl vote a movie and give it an above average score then its displayed as 9/10 for example yet it could very well be a flop.

[Takao]

Back when the movie was made, there were a only a handful of Blackhawks being operated by other nations. IIRC, you don't even need your thumbs to count them on your hands.

While the Blackhawk is a fine helicopter, it is expensive to own and fly. With many compbrable helicopters already on the market, there wasn't a need for a civilian Blackhawk. The Huey can do much the same job, costs a lot less, but usually requires more maintenance. Besides there are several Soviet models to choose from. Besides, in the civilian market, why would Sikorsky produce a competitor to their successful S-76 Spirit?

[AntEater]

The global arms market is a strange place, especially when it involves US or European manufacturers.
If you want US military hardware, just forking over the cash doesn't quite cut it anymore, not even if you're a close ally. You get a lot of contractual obligations on how to use the hardware or who you can resell it to. Also, I don't know a single US arms deal in the last few years that actually resulted in any form of profit for the US contractor directly from the customer. The money was made from the US government.
"Cash and carry" works with russians or chinese hardware, but not with US or EU stuff.
Usually it seems the US basically does not sell arms, but gives them away for political leverage.
Austria did buy Black Hawks but the countersale proposals were so hefty the US got zero profit out of it.
Recently, it was a subsim headline that the landing ship India got from the US (a 20+ year old clunker) is forbidden to take part in combat operations.
I suppose the only country that can use US weapons without (or at least with the least) restrictions is Israel.
I suppose one reason most european countries "go european" is that this means full control over your weapons.
Germany still has to pay license fees for the source code of the software of the Patriot missile system and will enter similar obligations with the MEADS system.
I suppose restrictions for AMRAAM and Standard missiles are similar.
I've heard the greeks did go russian for their air defence for the simple reason that they want SAMs that work when the Turks attack, and do not get turned off because Turkey is more in favor with Washington than Greece.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by AntEater

If you want US military hardware, just forking over the cash doesn't quite cut it anymore, not even if you're a close ally. You get a lot of contractual obligations on how to use the hardware or who you can resell it to. Also, I don't know a single US arms deal in the last few years that actually resulted in any form of profit for the US contractor directly from the customer. The money was made from the US government.
"Cash and carry" works with russians or chinese hardware, but not with US or EU stuff.
Usually it seems the US basically does not sell arms, but gives them away for political leverage.

I wouldn't say that, look at what we paid for 11 Seasprite Helicopters (Around $1 Billion AUD) After a decade of wait problems and cost blow outs (Almost double the price comparied to what was agreed to) The progam wa scraped. The 9 Helicopters that were delivered (but never flew one op due to equipment problems) are been returned to the maker and are going to be sold for spares. What is the government going to get back for this?? Just 40 Million dollars!

[Takao]

Hey Bookworm_020,

Why did Australia go for the older Seasprite instead of buying more Seahawks?

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Takao

Hey Bookworm_020,

Why did Australia go for the older Seasprite instead of buying more Seahawks?

They could fit on to the smaller ANZAC class Frigates that we have. They were going to be equiped with brand new combats systems and weapons (it was a big part of the rpoblem, it never worked as planned).

New Zealand bought some stock standard (and brand new, not 1960 upgrades) for there ANZAC Figates and have used them without any problems for quite awhile

Looks like more Seahawks or NH90's! If they fit!

[Venatore]

I've been in and out of Black Hawks on three separate operational deployments and from my point of view; being that of an infantry soldier; they are a bloody good chopper and the Australian flight crews are No1.

Nothing better to be sitting in the doorway [open] of a Black Hawk, whilst tactical flying in and out of mountains, down rivers and watching the tree-tops scream past the wheels and glancing at your mates all camouflaged up, weapons ready and the door gunner giving you the 2 minute hand signal....pure bliss

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Venatore

I've been in and out of Black Hawks on three separate operational deployments and from my point of view; being that of an infantry soldier; they are a bloody good chopper and the Australian flight crews are No1.

Nothing better to be sitting in the doorway [open] of a Black Hawk, whilst tactical flying in and out of mountains, down rivers and watching the tree-tops scream past the wheels and glancing at your mates all camouflaged up, weapons ready and the door gunner giving you the 2 minute hand signal....pure bliss

All you need now is Col. Kilgore's favourite piece of music blaring out over the PA system.



I love the smell of napalm in the morning... It smells like... Victory!

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by TarJak

All you need now is Col. Kilgore's favourite piece of music blaring out over the PA system.



I love the smell of napalm in the morning... It smells like... Victory!

My Wife does a good job whistling this tune!

Venatore, where are you based?

[XabbaRus]

Good movie and well done without being too gungho.

Can you imagine what it would have been like had Jerry Bruckenheimer made it?

[Venatore]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

Venatore, where are you based?

Currently at Brisbane [Enoggera]; I've also been posted to Canberra, Townsville, Darwin, Wagga Wagga and the arse end of the world....Tasmania.