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Marine One doesnt need a kitchen

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Gripen:
US PRESIDENT Barack Obama says he really doesn't need a new presidential helicopter with an Armageddon-proof kitchen.

"It would let me cook a meal while under nuclear attack," he mused.

"Now, let me tell you something - if the United States of America is under nuclear attack, the last thing on my mind will be whipping up a snack."

Mr Obama's comments came as he pledged to put up "a fight" against "exotic projects that are years behind schedule and billions over budget" in a speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars service organisation.

"This is pretty straightforward - cut the waste. Save taxpayer dollars. Support the troops," he told the group at its annual convention.

"If a project doesn't support our troops, if it does not make America safer, we will not fund it.

"If a system doesn't perform, we will terminate it.

"And if Congress sends me a defence bill loaded with a bunch of pork, I will veto it."

Mr Obama has taken aim at plans for a new fleet of Marine One helicopters before, notably at a White House Fiscal Responsibility summit in February, when he said he had ordered a review into the project's huge cost overruns.

The US Navy charged Lockheed Martin to build a new fleet of 28 helicopters to serve as Marine One in 2005.

The project originally was meant to cost around $US6 billion ($7.24 billion) but has skyrocketed up to $US11.2 billion ($13.5 billion).

Each aircraft would now cost about $US400 million ($482 million) - more than the cost of the two adapted Boeing 747 aircraft now serving as Air Force One.

The new helicopters were to be based on Lockheed's EH-101 aircraft, currently produced by a British-Italian partner.

The new generation of iconic green-and-white helicopters are said to offer the President greater protection and a higher range than current Sikorsky models - some of which are up to 40 years old.

The decision in 2005 to award the contract culminated an intense competition between Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp's all-American entry, the S-92.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25945452-401,00.html

AVIATOR:
Well let him take sandwiches in a lunch pail.
What I am more concerned with is this civilian returning the Marine's salute whilst in civilian clothes.
I mean saluting without a hat on like they do in America is bad enough, but in a civilian is beyond belief.
This all started with Bill Clinton. Many an old soldier considered returning his medals when he saw that.

Webmaster:
Ok, I kinda agree with everything he said there in principle, but I am concerned upgrading the old Seakings will be a costly mistake... what's been put into the Merlins are sunk costs, but I'm afraid in the long run, the Seaking upgrade will be more costly than now going on with this program. What about a 'lite' version and some new seniors running the program.



--- Quote from: AVIATOR on August 18, 2009, 12:54:51 AM ---This all started with Bill Clinton.

--- End quote ---

No, Reagan...

shawn a:
We can't make a helicopter here for 400 million dollars? Does anyone else think that something here may be out of control? I walk around in 10 dollar shoes that were shipped halfway around the world from china!!
400 million dollars should buy the whole damn fleet!! What the hell is wrong here?

AVIATOR:
I think that this is  "Democrat HOT COCK" written in the dirty Dem press to make Obama look good.
It isn't succeeding any more, check out the election results in New York and New Jersey this week. Americans are waking up.

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