[Updated at 12:02 p.m.] Chinese military engineers likely got to examine the wreckage of the U.S. stealth helicopter that crashed during the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, according to news reports.
"We have reason to suspect China was given access, but we cannot confirm it definitively. We have strong suspicions," a U.S. official told CNN.
Pakistani intelligence operatives likely gave the Chinese access to the wreckage, the New York Times reported, citing American officials and other intelligence sources.
The Chinese engineers were able to photograph the wreckage and take samples of the stealth skin that helps the chopper avoid radar detection, intelligence sources told the Financial Times.
When the aircraft crashed during the raid that killed the al Qaeda leader in May, Navy SEALs destroyed most of it to protect the technology. But the tail section remained mostly intact and it was that area that the Chinese engineers examined, according to the New York Times report.
U.S. intelligence is basing its opinion that the Chinese got access to the stealth copter on intercepted phone conversations, the Times reported.
A U.S. official says “we have reason to suspect China was given access but we cannot confirm it definitively. We have strong suspicions.â€
Pakistani officials contacted by the New York Times refused comment on the matter. The Financial Times said a Pakistani official denied the accusations.
Both newspapers noted that China and Pakistan enjoy a longstanding military relationship.
The raid that killed bin Laden, staged without informing Pakistan, stoked tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan.
In July, the U.S. said it was withholding $800 million in aid to Pakistan.
"They've taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we're giving to the military, and we're trying to work through that," White House Chief of Staff William Daley said at the time.
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Post by: CNN's Barbara Starr, CNN's Brad Lendon Filed under: China • Military • Pakistan • World |
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We shouldn't be giving any aid to any country overseas, especially military aid. Anyone remember when we sold Iran F-14s when the shah was in power? We are willing to sell our souls overseas and for what gain? I hope we keep the $800 million and use it to feed all the people starving to death in the US.
Next thing you know thousands of cheap American stealth helicopter toys hit the shelves in the Christmas shopping season.
we are crying about how broke we are and we are giving away $800mil and most likely a lot more. What's wrong with this country?
Yeah, we should NEVER give aid in exchange for help with our war effort. We should invade the entire planet instead, right?
You obviously have no clue whatsoever what is REALLY happening in the world. Things that NEVER get reported, as the press is NOT permitted access to that information.
For one example that was accidentally released in part and the rest forced, look up Operation Ajax.
The US is not a saintly nation, but we're also not the biggest stinker on the planet...
Let's be done w/ the Pakis! We have better places to spend OUR $ !!!!!
It's normal. U.S. CIA and FBI agents are all over the world. No big deal.
can stealth materials be made at home or bought online? i wonder if i could put some of that stuff on my camaro to avoid tickets
Wouldn't work. They could still follow you out of your trailer park.
your best shot there is a flat grey paint (a web search will get you automotive color mixes that work pretty well) and both front and rear facing floodlights with Ultraviolet bulbs in them to flood the laser spectrum. Of course your car will look like it's only got primer on it, but you'll be more laser and radar resistant.
Some actually CAN be bought online. But, without specific technical engineering knowledge, they'd be of no use to you.
Think that those REDUCE radar signature, not eliminate it totally. No sharp edges. No oblique edges facing anticipated radar sources.
In short, your car would not be very aerodynamic and look like a Sci-Fi car. GUARANTEED to attract all manner of attention.
For practical examples, look at the stealth fighter and bomber.
Mythbuster did something on all the stuff with cars. There is more to it than paint and bright lights. There are angles and other things that are not accessed easily, sorry
I wonder which POS country TYN2 is from? Grow up kid. Maybe when you hit your teens you won't act so childish.
i vote no more aid to pakistan. if china wants some secrets they should have to pay for it. china is a country full of bootleggers and thieves
Got my vote also
I'm glad we aren't doing the same kind of thing, because that wouldn't be honorable.
In six months you will be able to buy it at walmart
unfortunately, even if every american sans our political leaders wanted this, we have no real say in it. they'd do it anyway
Yet another reason why corporations aren't people .. they can't send thier children to die in war !
true
@TYN2
Really?
If you are in a place in the US, I hope they get you.
I hope they question/interrogate you.
You are a psycho.
Are you really craving for deaths?
What is happening in Afghanistan is war.
Agreed, some innocents are becoming victims..But do you really think, more 911s will make you victorious?
If the US chooses to nuke you guys, imagine what would happen...
He posted his comment twice because he wants attention. Don't entertain him/her.
please do that would be funny... altho he probabbly lives in some stinkhole 3rd world contry and sponges off the goverment.
Your'e funny!
The Cold War is over? The Chinese will always want our equipment. I wonder what the Russians thought of it?
Russia and China are still on the outs with one another. Other than territorial disputes, China is still upset with Russia abandoning communism. Though China HAS bought some Kilo boats and a few others.
Either way, they probably have photographs and detailed data on the prototypes...
The Russians might actually know what to do with it. However, they aren't exactly best friends with the Chinese either. It's less likely they'd help China and more likely they'd lead them in the wrong direction, if they were to have a dialog about it at all.
TYN – if you're in the US, prepare to be afraid. Posting this crap is easy behind a computer.. Not so easy when some rough people come find you.
Wow so because Pakistan decided to leak US military intelligence to the PRC you want to glass their whole country? Which also has nukes and isn't particular stable?
Can we elect you to congress? I happen to be rather fond of the plan. Afghanistan could annex what used to be Pakistan and just make glass for the next few hundred years thereby helping their economy to grow. I'd say its got at least an equal shot of what we've been doing for the past decade.
i am not surprised that you would be turned on by pigs