Another red face?
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3 ... chase-plan
Army chief Anupong Paojinda has decided to scrap the controversial 350-million-baht airship purchase project, an army source says.
Gen Anupong's decision came after Virginia-based Aria International, the airship supplier, repeatedly failed to fulfil its contract, and delayed delivery by six months, said the source.
The decision has yet to be officially announced.
In several tests, the airship proved unable to fly at 10,000 feet (3,048m) above the ground as stated in the contract. It went as high as only 3,150 feet (960m), a height considered unsafe for a surveillance operation in the deep south, the source said.
The committee set up to examine the airship and recommend to the army whether or not to acknowledge delivery had also refused to approve the delivery due to the aircraft's substandard specifications, the source said.
After being told about the committee's decision, Gen Anupong tried to convince Wut Wimuktalop, chief of the Department of Army Transportation, to sign to acknowledge delivery of the airship, according to the source.
However, Maj Gen Wut refused to do so, which forced the army chief to reconsider his position.
The Budget Bureau, which had inquired about the airship purchase budget, had also asked the army for an explanation of how the budget would be disbursed by the end of this month.
These factors had led to Gen Anupong's decision to scrap the airship project by refusing to accept delivery.
The army would also sue the US supplier for breaching the contract, and demand the company return the 70% purchase payment made by the army to the company, the source said.
Aerial Invasion?
Re: Aerial Invasion?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Aerial Invasion?
I think that's progress in relation to so many other fiascos. At least they've admitted the mistake/problem and rectified it without trying to cover things up. I wish they would have done that before spending billions on the aircraft carrier and useless Harriers, which still continues in terms of maintenance and manpower. Pete 
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Aerial Invasion?
I guess that they already paid the "tea money", and cannot lose any more face. (see above)
They admit that the aircraft does not meet the contract specs, but then came out with crap like this. I am sure that there are much better areas that the money could be spent on.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... e-go-ahead
Airship deal expected to receive go-ahead:
The army's inspection panel is expected to approve the delivery of a controversial airship even though it has failed its standard flight test, an army source says.
The airship inspection committee is expected to eventually approve the 350 million baht airship's delivery, the source said, despite the fact it cannot fly high enough to avoid ground fire.
The third flight test of the US-made Aero 40D airship showed it had a maximum ceiling of 3,100 feet.
This was within the range of an M16 rifle fired from the ground, the source said.
The airship was supposed to be able to fly above 3,280 feet, or 1km above the ground, which would make it safe from ground rifle attack.
The airship is intended for aerial patrols over the lower South.
The latest flight test was carried out yesterday at the Bo Thong airstrip at the 15th Infantry Regiment in Pattani's Nong Chik district, where it has been kept during the inspection.
"The committee will in the end have to accept the airship delivery," the source said.
The airship deal was expected to be sealed before army chief Anupong Paojinda retires at the end of September.
He has defended the purchase despite criticism over its cost, and whether the airship will be of any use.
The inspection committee is made up of three lieutenant colonels from the Department of Army Transportation.
There would, however, be more tests before the committee announces its final decision on the craft's delivery, the source said. The tests will be aimed at proving if the cameras mounted on three helicopters supporting the airship would work both night and day.
Tests will also be carried out to see if the cameras can capture pictures at different angles and whether broadcasting signals to the airship and a number of ground control centres can be synchronised in real time.
The airship also needs costly helium refills, the source said.
The cost of a helium refill ranges from 170,000 baht to 2.5 million baht.
The cabinet in March last year gave the army its approval in principle to buy the airship for about 350 million baht.
The craft was to have been delivered last August.
The handover has been delayed repeatedly because of problems in fulfilling the purchase contract on the part of the supplier.
They admit that the aircraft does not meet the contract specs, but then came out with crap like this. I am sure that there are much better areas that the money could be spent on.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securit ... e-go-ahead
Airship deal expected to receive go-ahead:
The army's inspection panel is expected to approve the delivery of a controversial airship even though it has failed its standard flight test, an army source says.
The airship inspection committee is expected to eventually approve the 350 million baht airship's delivery, the source said, despite the fact it cannot fly high enough to avoid ground fire.
The third flight test of the US-made Aero 40D airship showed it had a maximum ceiling of 3,100 feet.
This was within the range of an M16 rifle fired from the ground, the source said.
The airship was supposed to be able to fly above 3,280 feet, or 1km above the ground, which would make it safe from ground rifle attack.
The airship is intended for aerial patrols over the lower South.
The latest flight test was carried out yesterday at the Bo Thong airstrip at the 15th Infantry Regiment in Pattani's Nong Chik district, where it has been kept during the inspection.
"The committee will in the end have to accept the airship delivery," the source said.
The airship deal was expected to be sealed before army chief Anupong Paojinda retires at the end of September.
He has defended the purchase despite criticism over its cost, and whether the airship will be of any use.
The inspection committee is made up of three lieutenant colonels from the Department of Army Transportation.
There would, however, be more tests before the committee announces its final decision on the craft's delivery, the source said. The tests will be aimed at proving if the cameras mounted on three helicopters supporting the airship would work both night and day.
Tests will also be carried out to see if the cameras can capture pictures at different angles and whether broadcasting signals to the airship and a number of ground control centres can be synchronised in real time.
The airship also needs costly helium refills, the source said.
The cost of a helium refill ranges from 170,000 baht to 2.5 million baht.
The cabinet in March last year gave the army its approval in principle to buy the airship for about 350 million baht.
The craft was to have been delivered last August.
The handover has been delayed repeatedly because of problems in fulfilling the purchase contract on the part of the supplier.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!