CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 11 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 11 December, 2009 add the seawolf class subs....only made 3 as they are waay too expensive The Seawolf Class SSN's supposedly cheaper replacements have their own problems : http://hamptonroads.com/2007/12/welding-problems-found-virginia-class-submarines As for the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter programme's cancellation this seems a prime example of how not to run a defence contract . President Obama terminated it because it overrun its budget (or more precisely a politicians need to be seen to cut 'unnecessary' expenditure during a recession) but the reason the programme's costs got out of control in the first place is because of unrealistic demands being placed on a already highly capable (and proven) design and the political need to have it carry a 'Made in the USA' tag . So now we have the ludicrus situation of the most powerful man in the world will still being flown around in ancient expensive to maintain Sikorsky's (the helicopter equivalent of a 1960's Ford Zephyr) while the obvious need for a modern 'Air Force One' will probably be fulfilled by something you can bet will end up costing as much if not more than the cancelled VH-71 . Waste piled upon waste . The desire to always have 'the best possible' at whatever price is the sworn enemy of just having the 'good enough' - a lesson those responsible for many a western defence project would do well to heed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 12 December, 2009 Share Posted 12 December, 2009 A400M from Airbus. Shows it isn't only the Brits that can mess things up.... What WAS the problem with the latest Hercs that 400mil each couldn't have solved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 12 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 12 December, 2009 A400M from Airbus. Shows it isn't only the Brits that can mess things up.... What WAS the problem with the latest Hercs that 400mil each couldn't have solved? It seems to me the UK's participation in the A400M programme has got a lot to do with EU politics and maintaining our position as the principle manufacturer of wings for Airbus and very little to do with the needs of the RAF . I strongly suspect the RAF would have been perfectly happy to operate a mix of C17 and new C130-J 'Hercules' transports and use the considerable sums saved on developing and buying A400M elsewhere . I see this aircraft finally got off the ground this week after the usual serious delays and cost overruns , we can only hope the services receive a decent aircraft eventually . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now