I was watching CNN about the earthquake in China and the report was about the Chinese military being used for rescue operations and I noticed they have Black Hawk helicopters or some very accurate copies of them.

Just wondering if I missed something where we sold them equipment.

Rover I am not sure but a simple search on the internet showed blackhawks being sold to Brazil, another place selling them on the net. Probably not that far out that they have those heli's.

Just don't call them "choppers" for the love of God.....
That term bugs me more than anything, being an Ex-Crewchief on UH-60s.

But Zed's dead, baby ...

I believe the Chinese have a Blackhawk varient of their own. They have been stealing our blueprints for over 20 years now (Walkers anyone?)

http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/default.asp

I believe that is a Z-10 attack helicopter.

I believe the Chinese have a Blackhawk varient of their own. They have been stealing our blueprints for over 20 years now (Walkers anyone?)

Wasn't there a case not that far back involving the theft of helicopter design? A "spy" case?


And Sixee, can I say Whirlybirds? Used to be a television program about two 'copter pilots named that. Back in the days of black and white television.

More seriously, the S70 and some later variants (same base chassis as UH60, different avionics) is not export restricted and available to anyone. I'm reasonably sure most of the ones used by the Coast Guard and such are actually the "civilian" kind with various usage-specific configurations as opposed to the military ones, though I've been out of touch with my pilot friends for a long time.

Not to say whether or not China may or may not have performed espionage for the military variants, but having a Blackhawk just means you had $10 million.

Good point Malse, because without the Avionics (the real meat of our aircraft) an airframe is just an airframe and usually obtainable.

However I'm pretty sure that's a Z10 or Z11, China has been putting forth alot of work/money/spies etc etc on leveling the playing field with us equipment wise.

I wonder if Chinese soldiers turn over their guns, read where it was made and say "Fuck! Is EVERYTHING made in the USA?"

LMAO well the M16 is hot for a vietnam era weapon.

Give me a P90!!

Hah, that's rich.

But seriously, the S70 civilian version is really a fully usable Blackhawk minus the hookups for FLIR or encrypted radio or AWACs uplinks or whatever. It's not like Sikorsky is selling flashy ornaments, they're fully functional helicopters with exceptionally good lifting characteristics for the civilian market as well as for other countries. They do sell the the Army UH60 and its derivatives to some of our allies, but literally anyone can buy a Blackhawk, just don't expect to stick machine guns on it and go for a night time cruise at 30' through town.

My goodess...yes we have sold them blackhawks... Right Here (http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/helicopter/s70.asp)

I thought it was $16 million for a Blackhawk, at least that was it was in the early 90's. Maybe that's just for the airframe.

Whirlybirds? Yeah, you can use that, if you can keep a straight face saying it, LOL.

Rover, a flight crew of 2 on that link is misleading. You can have a pilot, and a co-pilot, but a crewchief is really necessary to keep things running smoothly form behind the pilot's heads on back to the tail rotor.

Kind of scary to know that China has those birds....

I thought it was $16 million for a Blackhawk, at least that was it was in the early 90's. Maybe that's just for the airframe.

Whirlybirds? Yeah, you can use that, if you can keep a straight face saying it, LOL.

Rover, a flight crew of 2 on that link is misleading. You can have a pilot, and a co-pilot, but a crewchief is really necessary to keep things running smoothly form behind the pilot's heads on back to the tail rotor.

Kind of scary to know that China has those birds....

Yessir I am aware of that, guys like you kept tail rotor vs human head collisions to a minimum. :eek:

I linked it for the photo.

If it makes us money..we will sell it to them. :rolleyes:

LMAO well the M16 is hot for a vietnam era weapon.

Give me a P90!!

you know that weapon is borderline french, right? =D

Yes Wiggo, it's considered a primarily American weapon however tho I thank you for pointing out more goodness....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M16_rifle

You'll note it was designed by Colt and is now built by Colt and the French company in question.

Subcontracted out to be built by said French company.

Not even a borderline French weapon. Merely labor used due to the high demand for this weapon worldwide.

Thanks

i meant the FNP90 sir, i thought that would be obvious.

Ahhh at least smarmy Euro comments are still safe.

Why would I dislike a P90 being French? A superior weapon is a superior weapon regardless of it's maker!