NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1337145.htm

I hope this gives our government pause and makes them realise that our people in the armed forces deserve to have decent equipment. Not second-hand crap other countries don't want.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200504/s1337145.htm

I hope this gives our government pause and makes them realise that our people in the armed forces deserve to have decent equipment. Not second-hand crap the yanks don't want.
My deep condolences for Australia's loss. I know how you feel.

The Sea King is a UK helicopter used from 1969, so it's not US (but old nevertheless). I suspect lack of maintenance is to blame as those choppers were overdue for a overhaul.

Chopper info
http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/west_king-r.html

(Read - costcutting to maintenance)

My deep condolences for Australia's loss. I know how you feel. Thank you very much.

The Sea King is a UK helicopter used from 1969, so it's not US (but old nevertheless). I suspect lack of maintenance is to blame as those choppers were overdue for a overhaul.

Chopper info
http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/west_king-r.html

(Read - costcutting to maintenance)

Actually, the Sea King was originally an American design made by Sikorsky (the H-3, which has many varients, including being Marine One , the President's Helicoptor.) As with many pieces of hardware, it was licensed to an allied country so they could make their own.

I'd bet the Aussies got a discarded Westland made version from the Royal Navy and tried to skimp on the maintainance as the poster I'm quoting suspects. First class men and training combined with third rate gear gives you a second rate military.

Condolences to the families; your boys deserve better than they get.

Actually, the Sea King was originally an American design made by Sikorsky (the H-3, which has many varients, including being Marine One , the President's Helicoptor.) As with many pieces of hardware, it was licensed to an allied country so they could make their own.

I'd bet the Aussies got a discarded Westland made version from the Royal Navy and tried to skimp on the maintainance as the poster I'm quoting suspects. First class men and training combined with third rate gear gives you a second rate military.

Condolences to the families; your boys deserve better than they get.

Our "new" choppers recently were very refurbished US ones.
Our "new" M1-A1 Abrams tanks aren't new either.
Our "new" submarines are new, but don't work properly.
Our "new" JSF aircraft to replace the FA-18 (which do work), is in testing prototype stage.

Do we ever learn?

What a terrible tragedy, my heart goes out to the famalies. :(