Blast from the past...the "Original" BlackHawk...S-67.

Back in the late 60's the US Army and Marines had to opportunity to have a work horse of a helicopter...the original Black Hawk, the S-67.  Stats from Wikipedia...

Specifications (S-67 Blackhawk)

Data from Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters,^[3] Attack Helicopter Evaluation^[15]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: Up to 8 troops^{[citation needed]}
• Payload: 8,000 lb (3,600 kg)
• Length: 74 ft 2 in (22.6 m)
• Rotor diameter: 62 ft (18.9 m)
• Height: 15 ft (4.57 m)
• Airfoil: NACA 0012 Mod
• Empty weight: 12,525 lb (5,681 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 24,272 lb (11,010 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× T58-GE-5 turboshaft engine, 1,500 shp (1,100 kW) each
• Rotor system: 5 blades on main rotor, 5 blades on tail rotor
• Fuselage length: 64 ft 1 in (19.5 m)
• Fuselage height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
• Stub wing span: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 230 mph (370 km/h) in dive with ducted fan
• Maximum speed: 193 mph (311 km/h)
• Range: 220 mi (354 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (5,180 m)

My recent "Blasts from the past" have focused on helicopter projects because as usual, we're getting fawning press about the X-3, and criticism of the US helicopter industry which has in the past (and is presently) cutting edge in every way.

The problem is that the US government in general and the US military in particular are sticking to outdated technology and attempting to wring more performance out of physics limited designs.

Currently Piaseki has cutting edge technology ready to insert into our legacy airframes and it is left to rot.

We have had ducted fan concepts, pusher concepts, compound helicopter concepts and more, yet we're sticking to models that have little performance improvements since the 70's!

Nothing is wrong with innovation in the US...the X-3 is a joke when compared to even past attempts.  The joke is the Department of Defense that complains about industry and thinking that industry is going to jump when they've been burned before.

Blast from the past....D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport.

The Bell Aero Systems D-2022 Ducted Assault Transport is another 'blast from the past' that never even made it to mock up stage.

Its a shame.

USS Bataan is still blacked out.

UPDATE:

The USS Bataan is still blacked out according to its FaceBook Page.

This is highly unusual.  Whats more mystifying is that this simple problem has been ongoing since the 13th of this month.

Something is going on with the USS Bataan.  What exactly I don't know but remember this post?

UPDATE 1:

Phil asked a very important question.  He asked if the other ships in the Expeditionary Strike Group 2 were blacked out.

From what I gather from open sources is that the Group has split up.  I'm going to burning up this computer tonight to try and nail down exact locations.  One thing though.  Bataan is waaaay ahead of the curve when it comes to social networking.  LSD 41 has updated its website since Oct 2010 and the Mesa Verde is still trying to get its act together (or so it appears online).  More info to you when I get it.

My new ring tone...

Blast from the past...XH-51A

2nd Force Recons conduct helo-casting training.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, pull their fellow Marine into a combat rubber raiding craft after jumping out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations., By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:06 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepare to push a combat rubber raiding craft out of a CH-53 helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By. Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:13 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares to jump out of a CH-53 helicopter into the ocean aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2011. The purpose of the exercise was to train the Marines for amphibious operations. , By Cpl. Johnny Merkley, 6/13/2011 8:27 PM

USMC - wins...UK Ministry of Defense - loses.

The title of this post indicates the outcome of the UK MoD's decision to sell Harriers to the US at bargain basement prices.

We win.  They lose.  BIG.  From the Sun (via Phoenix Think Tank).

Ex-Security Minister Admiral Lord West said that whoever was behind the "joke" £34million sale was "as mad as a box of frogs".
UK taxpayers forked out more than £1BILLION for the iconic jets - up to 40 of which are going to the US Marine Corps for the knock-down price.
Lord West, 63, stormed: "We're in a land of complete madness. Selling these Harriers in this way - well, what a stupid, extraordinary decision.

"It makes one feel that whoever is behind this is as mad as a box of frogs. We're in the extraordinary place where we rely more and more on the US.

This is how freedom ends.

If you depend on another for your protection then you're not a Man...or a nation.  You're a slave or in the case of a nation a protectorate.

The UK has/is in the process of losing all leverage with the US.

Its not yet too late to turn this around, but its getting close.

But in the meantime, the UK can be proud of one fact.  Between the US purchase of the Harriers and the Australian fleecing them on the buy of the Albion class ship, they're at least strengthening allies.