Latin America

Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts) Fri Oct 18, 2013, 02:41 PM Oct 2013

Colombia gets new US Black Hawk helipcopters

Colombia gets new US Black Hawk helipcopters
posted by Taran Volckhausen
Oct 18, 2013

Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation confirmed Thursday a delivery of two S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Colombian Armed Forces, adding to the fleet of five already in the country.

According to Sikorsky, Colombia is the first country in South America to receive this model of helicopters and the first country in the world to field them.

Sikorsky delivered the two helicopters to Colombian Army officials during a ceremony in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the United States. Colombian aircrew then flew the two aircraft to a military base in Tolemaida, Colombia, near Bogota – a distance of almost 3000 miles.

The aircraft will be used in combat missions in Colombia’s ongoing internal armed conflict, which started in the 1960s and continues today. Peace talks between the government and the country’s largest rebel group FARC have been taking place in Havana, Cuba, for almost a year.

According to Sikorsky, Colombia is one of the world’s largest operators of Black Hawk helicopters.

http://colombiareports.co/colombia-acquires-new-u-s-black-hawk-helipcopters/

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Colombia gets new US Black Hawk helipcopters (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2013 OP

The S70i model works well in rugged terrain Socialistlemur Oct 2013 #1

Socialistlemur

(770 posts)

1. The S70i model works well in rugged terrain

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sat Oct 19, 2013, 06:38 AM

Oct 2013

This model allows the helicopter to fly very low hugging terrain in mountainous areas, which in turn keeps them nearly invisible at night. I assume this will be coupled to use of drones with infrared sensors to locate FARC concentrations. The use of modern technology is an excellent means to destroy the FARC, but this has to be done in parallel with efforts to reduce poverty in the country side.

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