Amazing. The Iraqi Army is fielding the Bell 407 Armed Recon Helo designed to the same specifications that the US Army spelled out and they're getting it before our forces.
Single source procurement might be the way to go if this is an example. Simply decide what you want, work with the manufacturer to get a realistic AND reasonable price AND get the gear in the hands of our guys in the military.
SIDENOTE: Head over to Photo 01 Aviation Photography's webpage and check out those funky exhaust "defusers" or whatever you call them. You can barely make them out in the photo above but I've never seen any other helicopter with that particular setup. What gives I wonder.
Did a little digging and came up with this, http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Iraq-Seeks-Armed-Reconnaissance-Helicopters-05010/. This actually has been in the works for 4 years now.
ReplyDeleteDid not see any other pictures of what those exhaust manifold covers are doing.
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ReplyDeletehttp://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt271/SpudmanWP/Misc/c2c69c8e.jpg
Here are four more shots
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