They managed to penetrate Pakistani airspace, hover for 40 minutes, and flee undetected towards Afghanistan until the very last minute.
And now, pictures of the wrecked helicopter that crashed in Osama bin Laden's compound may shed new light on how Navy SEAL raiders snuck into Abbottabad without alerting Pakistani forces - by using secret 'stealth' helicopters.
Pictures of the downed chopper's heavily damaged tail section bear a striking resemblance to the smooth angular design of other stealth aircraft and have left aviation experts struggling to identify the unknown machine.
He said: 'Well, now we know why all of us had trouble ID'ing the helicopter that crashed, or was brought down, in the Osama raid.
'It was a secretly developed stealth helicopter, probably a highly modified version of an H-60 Blackhawk.'
Citing pictures shown on MailOnline, he added: 'Photos show that the helicopter's tail features stealth-configured shapes on the boom and tip fairings, swept stabilizers and a 'dishpan' cover over a non-standard five-or-six-blade tail rotor.
'The willingness to compromise this technology shows the importance of the mission in the eyes of US commanders - and what we're seeing here also explains why Pakistani defences didn't see the first wave (at least) coming in.
Comparison: The rotor of the crashed 'stealth' helicopter (left) from Sunday's raid and a close up of a standard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter
It was previously thought that the Navy SEAL teams involved in last Sunday's attack used modified MH-60 Black Hawk or Sea Hawk variant helicopters in the raid - although the White House would not confirm or deny what type of helicopter was used.
Initially the plan was for the SEAL teams to 'fast rope' from the hovering 'Black Hawks', but according to the White House and defence officials, one of the helicopters developed a mechanical fault and had make a 'hard landing'.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/...13_634x837.jpg
Equipped: SEALs and other special forces have access to the latest military hardware, potentially explaining why they would have used an experimental or secret helicopter type
As the U.S. special forces fled bin Laden's compound, they destroyed the crippled helicopter, leaving what they thought were only charred remains.
Discussing the intriguing pictures, a writer for website Defense Tech dismissed speculation the new craft was a modified version of the MH-60.
He said: 'All I’ll say is that it sure doesn’t look like it came off even a modified MH-60 Black Hawk. It looks like a stealthy new aircraft.'
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/...76_634x378.jpg
Previous: Experts have speculated the 'clasified' helicopter could be a descendant of the now abandoned RAH-66 Comanche stealth helicopter project - seen here in prototype testing
Experts are now speculating the mysterious helicopter may be a descendant of the abandoned RAH-66 Comanche stealth helicopter project.
The Comanche, in development since 1984, reached the working prototype phase before it was cancelled in 2004.
It has been suggested that the military could have kept a few examples of the Comanche for use on high priority missions such as last Sunday's raid on the bin Laden compound.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky, first entered service with the U.S. army in 1979.
Since then, the $44 million helicopter has become a workhorse across all branches of the American military, with U.S. forces currently operating 1,349.
There are numerous variations on the basic design, with special forces typically using the highly modified MH-60 variant.
The Black Hawk, which first began flying in 1978, has a crew of three or four and can carry 11 soldiers equipped for combat.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/...57_634x321.jpg
Eyes: 'The Beast of Kandahar' i.e. the secretive RQ-170 surveillance drone, was said to have filmed the daring raid and transmitted it back to the President in real time
The new 'stealth' helicopter may not have been the only secret weapon used last Sunday.
Navy SEAL teams have access to the latest weaponry and have the pick of any hardware deemed necessary to carry out the job.
It is alleged that during the killing of bin Laden in Abbottabad, the SEALS involved were supported by the Air Force's secretive RQ-170 pilot less drone- dubbed 'The Beast of Kandahar'.
The Air Force denied the futuristic looking weapons existence until 2009 and has never released an official photo of the reconnaissance aircraft.
May 5th, 2011, 21:09
American Patriot
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
hehehehe we're experts. Yes I'm still in Colorado. Yes Frontier airlines cancelled our flight out.
Half my team is already in Michigan. The other half is sitting here a bit pissed. lol
May 5th, 2011, 23:32
Malsua
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Frontier Airlines?
Way to pick a reliable airline.
May 5th, 2011, 23:35
Backstop
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Damn Rick.
Hope you get out of there.
And BTW, the Tigers beat the Yankees in 3 consecutive games - at home.
I have that MLB Extra Innings package.
May 6th, 2011, 01:24
Phil Fiord
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Meh, just drive, Rick... Oh wait... Too costly now.
Anyway, on the ABC video linked above or last page. It was stated that locals said power and phone went out during the raid in the area of the compound and came back AFTER the helo's left.
This suggests they are also equipped with or had support from some tech that will do this.
I know it exists. A year or so ago, I was on I-66 eastbound and coming at me and headed west was Obama and his detail. I was on my cell at the time and as the long string of black vehicles approached, my call faded out and dropped, though I had 5 bars for signal. I tried to call back and no connection was made to do so, but I still showed 5 bars. I kept trying to renew the call as they passed and not until the last vehicle was past me did it succeed.
I took note that one of the SUV's had a dish on top, similar to an AWACs or somesuch and that the tech for jamming cells is available, though illegal for consumers in the US, last I checked.
My point here is that team had the added support of being able to cut off the compound from communications and power to help do the raid. That suggests to me there was also night vision in use as well.
Good job SEALS! Thank you .mil that did this.
May 6th, 2011, 05:16
Ryan Ruck
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Anyone heard if Pakistan has responded to our request for the helo debris back?
May 6th, 2011, 10:24
Backstop
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Haven't heard.
Will they honor that request?
After we went behind their back, entered their country, and killed someone they covertly were aiding?
Good freaking question.
May 6th, 2011, 12:01
zenbudda
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Fiord
Meh, just drive, Rick... Oh wait... Too costly now.
Anyway, on the ABC video linked above or last page. It was stated that locals said power and phone went out during the raid in the area of the compound and came back AFTER the helo's left.
This suggests they are also equipped with or had support from some tech that will do this.
I know it exists. A year or so ago, I was on I-66 eastbound and coming at me and headed west was Obama and his detail. I was on my cell at the time and as the long string of black vehicles approached, my call faded out and dropped, though I had 5 bars for signal. I tried to call back and no connection was made to do so, but I still showed 5 bars. I kept trying to renew the call as they passed and not until the last vehicle was past me did it succeed.
I took note that one of the SUV's had a dish on top, similar to an AWACs or somesuch and that the tech for jamming cells is available, though illegal for consumers in the US, last I checked.
My point here is that team had the added support of being able to cut off the compound from communications and power to help do the raid. That suggests to me there was also night vision in use as well.
Good job SEALS! Thank you .mil that did this.
Definitely not saying you're wrong, but how'd that guy in Abadabad tweet about the whole thing? I guess it's possible he was far enough away? /shrug
May 6th, 2011, 16:06
Ryan Ruck
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
FNC just saying no word on a Pak response to our request for the debris.
May 8th, 2011, 04:04
catfish
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Cell phone jamming is one thing, but power?
May 8th, 2011, 06:08
Ryan Ruck
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
During GW1 we used carbon filament bombs to short circuit the Iraqi power grid. The word is we've progressed to a more advanced system since then, and something more precise (and temporary) than an EMP.
May 8th, 2011, 11:04
Malsua
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peterle Matteo
:)
Easy.
Open the right circuit breaker!
That's all.
Without weird secret weapons.
I suppose a special squad has the equivalent of an energy worker among them.
Another option is to cut cables.
With the right equipment...it is a joke.
Yes, with the right equipment.
What is more likely is that whatever it is, it is remote and doesn't require boots on the ground.
It is also reversible, not causing permanent damage.
I suspect they've come up with a way to drop "temporary shorts" across the transmission lines. Something with a big remotely controlled resistor in the middle that allows the voltage to be metered. Call it a live short instead of a dead short.
May 11th, 2011, 19:22
vector7
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Pakistani officials are hinting that they may let China take a look at the wreckage of the top-secret U.S. helicopter left behind after the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden.
An unidentified Pakistani official told ABC News Tuesday that the Chinese were “very interested” in taking a look at the remains. A second unidentified official went one step further, telling the network, “We might let them [the Chinese] take a look.”
The comments are the latest move in an ongoing game of political chess being played by the United States and Pakistan, one that is occurring to varying public degrees as officials from both nations use multiple channels to influence public perception both at home and abroad.
Much like most of the tug of war over Bin Laden’s three widows, the suggestion that China may get a firsthand look at the helicopter is taking place in the semi-public reality of an on-background media world, where U.S. and Pakistani officials strike varying posturing without having their names attached to the comments.
It is hard to believe that Pakistan has not already taken a close look at the remains of what is widely thought to be a modified Blackhawk helicopter (the White House has refused to provide details). And given the nation’s close relationship with China, it is possible—perhaps even likely—that Pakistan will eventually share any technological secrets it’s able to discover from the wreckage, regardless of whether China gets its own up-close look.
But by publicly suggesting that nothing is a done deal yet, the comments provide Pakistan with another chance to save face at home by taking a defiant stance toward Washington, while still leaving the door open for the Pakistani government to distance itself from the suggestions as it attempts to win back the support of Washington and keep the U.S. foreign aid spigot from being shut off.
June 3rd, 2011, 20:34
vector7
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
A popular Chinese toy company is taking the secret weapon in the deadly U.S. raid on Usama bin Laden's Pakistan compound and turning it into kid's play – offering a “Operation Geronimo” stealth helicopter scale model kit that come in pairs of two, just like in the real-life events.
“The fuselage, nose and tail were all modified to reduce the craft’s radar cross-section,” reads a product description on DragonModelsUSA.com, the U.S. distributor of Dragon Models Limited. “This 1+1 package will even allow modelers to recreate the raid on Bin Laden’s hideout!”
When Navy SEAL Team Six dropped into Bin Laden’s Pakistan compound last month, killing the Al Qaeda leader, one of two top secret stealth helicopters used in the mission had to make an emergency crash landing.
The U.S. operatives used explosives to destroy what was left of the damaged aircraft, which experts believe is a modified Black Hawk, to prevent it from falling into foreign hands. But the explosion was not enough to cover up all of its wreckage, leaving behind a tail that generated speculation over the helicopter’s actual design.
“Were it not for the fact that one of them crash-landed and had to be destroyed, the world would probably not have realized that the U.S. possesses such stealthy helicopter variants," the product description read.
Dale Bruner, president of online hobby shop InternetHobbies.com, said his store is “excited” to carry the model kit, which is to come stateside in July.
“It’s one of the first times anyone has come out with something like this,” he said.
Bruner believes China’s advanced plastics manufacturing technologies allowed Dragon to create a model of the helicopter so quickly.
The Dragon design team in Hong Kong could not be reached for comment.
But Bruner offered another take on the how the company may have
stumbled upon the helicopter's toy-worthy, top-secret design.
“When the tail was in Pakistan, the first people sent to view it weren’t the Chinese government, but the people from Dragon models,” he joked.
August 14th, 2011, 19:06
vector7
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan gave China access to the previously unknown "stealth" helicopter that crashed during the commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May despite explicit requests from the CIA not to, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
The revelation, if confirmed, is likely to further shake the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, which has been improving slightly after hitting its lowest point in decades following the May 2 bin Laden raid.
During the raid, one of two modified Blackhawk helicopters, believed to employ unknown stealth capability, malfunctioned and crashed, forcing the commandos to abandon it.
"The US now has information that Pakistan, particularly the ISI, gave access to the Chinese military to the downed helicopter in Abbottabad," the paper quoted a person "in intelligence circles" as saying.
Pakistan, which enjoys a close relationship with China, allowed Chinese intelligence officials to take pictures of the crashed chopper as well as take samples of its special "skin" that allowed the American raid to evade Pakistani radar, the newspaper reported.
No one from the Pakistani army was available for comment, but the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI), Pakistan's top spy agency, denied the report. The paper said Pakistan's top general, chief of army staff Ashfaq Kayani, denied that China had been given access.
The surviving tail section, photos of which were widely distributed on the Internet, was returned to the United States following a trip by U.S. Senator John Kerry in May, a spokesman for the U.S. embassy told Reuters.
Shortly after the raid, Pakistan hinted that it might give China access to the downed chopper, given its fury over the raid, which it considers a grievous violation of its sovereignty.
"We had explicitly asked the Pakistanis in the immediate aftermath of the raid not to let anyone have access to the damaged remains of the helicopter," the Financial Times quoted the source as saying.
In an incident such as the helicopter crash, it is standard American procedure to destroy sophisticated technology such as encrypted communications and navigation computers.
Pakistan is a strategic ally to the United States but the relationship has been on a downward spiral since the killing of the al Qaeda leader in the raid by U.S. forces.
Islamabad was not informed in advance and responded by cutting back on U.S. trainers in the country and placing limits on CIA activities there.
The fact that the al Qaeda chief lived for years near the Pakistani army's main academy in the northwestern garrison town of Abbottabad reinforced suspicions in Washington about Islamabad's reliability in the war against militant Islamists.
There are also growing frustrations with Pakistan over its reluctance to mount offensives against militant factions in the northwest who are fighting U.S.-led foreign forces across the border in Afghanistan.
In a show of displeasure over Pakistan's cutback in U.S. trainers, its limits on visas for U.S. personnel and other bilateral irritants, the United States recently suspended about a third of its $2.7 billion annual defense aid to Pakistan.
Despite this, both sides have tried to prevent a breakdown of relations.
The head of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant-General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, visited the United States last month for talks with U.S. government and intelligence officials, which both sides said went well.
Despite the billions in aid, Pakistan still considers China a more reliable ally than the United States. China is a major investor in predominantly Muslim Pakistan in areas such as telecommunications, ports and infrastructure. The countries are linked by a Chinese-built road pushed through Pakistan's northern mountains.
Trade with Pakistan is worth almost $9 billion a year for Pakistan, and China is its top arms supplier.
In the wake of attacks that left 11 people dead in the China's western region of Xinjiang in late July, Pakistan quickly dispatched Lieutenant-General Pasha to Beijing.
August 14th, 2011, 19:56
Malsua
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Wow, there's a big shocker.
August 14th, 2011, 20:56
Toad
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?
Freakin Pakistan. We have no reason to trust them in any way shape or form, but we're so balls deep we can't afford not to.
August 19th, 2011, 01:03
Backstop
Re: Was A Stealth Helicopter Used In The Op To Get Bin Laden?