DP-2 finally "flies" (for 45 seconds) after 20 years and $63 million in taxpayer money

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Watch the video at: http://dupontaero.com/testing/ (.wmv files; "Run 1" and "Run 2" were the two 45-second tests.)

"Over the past few months, the DP-2 has been blasted as a government boondoggle, receiving millions of dollars in congressional earmarks with little to show."

"It was the first known flight of the DP-2 prototype, which was built with the help of earmarks added to the federal budget by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine." (CA-52) (And, by the way, Hunter is also "running for President." He should be running for the border.)

"...At the same hearing, Eney warned that the DP-2's system, which directs hot jet exhaust toward the ground, could burn troops who were rappelling out of the aircraft, which is one of its intended uses.

"...The studies cited serious safety issues, questioning the stability of the aircraft and charging that the downward thrust of the engines could create potentially deadly dust storms."

Story at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20071004-9999-1b4dupont.html

[CrispyQ]

1. Didn't the puppet say just the other day

that we need to spend money responsibly? :eyes:

No health care for children, but we can waste money on this shit.

[DS1]

2. what an unbelievable waste

[mainegreen]

3. May be a silly question, but why the hell wont a helicopter do?

[TomInTib]

7. Perfectly logical question.

I wouldn't rappel down-draft from that thing for a million dollars.

[geomon666]

12. Well if you ever do, make sure you're covered in barbecue sauce first.

Mmmmm...barbecue.

[alfredo]

4. useless as tits on a boar.

[dkofos]

5. Didn't the Harrier do this 20 years ago?? What a waste!

[KansDem]

6. Man, I'm in the wrong line of work...

Just imagine..."20 years" That's almost an entire career!

Bask in the southern California sun, enjoy the fine restaurants and entertainment, send your children to good schools (from "K" all the way to 12th grade), attend the San Diego Symphony or Opera or just visit the Zoo, watch as your home value soared during those 20 years. And go to work every Monday to work on this thing knowing your congress rep is pushing for millions of dollars for the next budget year. I wonder what went on in the offices and what was said around the water cooler, "Well, what do you want to work on today?" "I don't know, you want to rework the specs for the tethering lines again?"

20 years to re-create what the Harrier can already do.

The BAE Sea Harrier is a naval VTOL/STOVL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft, a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The first version entered service with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS.1, and was informally known as the Shar. The upgraded Sea Harrier FA2 entered service in 1993. It was withdrawn from Royal Navy service in March 2006. The Sea Harrier FRS Mk.51 is in active service with the Indian Navy, which operates the jet from its aircraft carrier INS Viraat.

Man, I wish I got in on this scam!!! Life can be sweet!

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10. I think Duncan Hunter is another Duke Cunningham-wannabe.

He had better watch his ass, or things like this will catch up with him. He must be good friends with the duPont family, in order to get that much money for them - and you know how destitute the duPonts are!

[lurky]

8. DP = double penetration?

The taxpayers are getting double fucked on this one.

[Greyskye]

9. Each time it landed

I expected it to tip over on its tail. That thing has some serious weight distribution/landing gear placement issues.

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11. Oh, that'll just take another $25 million and 10 years to fix. No problem.