US Defense Contractor Pratt & Whitney Sells Helicopter Secrets to China and Get Slap on Wrist
In the news today startling military news occurred, Pratt & Whitney admitted it helped China produce its first modern attack helicopter in violation of countless US laws. This drew what is being billed as a “multi-million” fine, but in reality it is a slap on the wrist.
At a time when P&W earns massive fees from the US Pentagon, it made tons more money by giving away technology for a price to China. In reality they were selling military secrets which can deny the US armed forces superiority if there was ever a conflict against China. The Pratt engines and computer software have now ended up in Chinese designs which have been produced into a cutting edge combat helicopter. Hell, lets face it the Chinese saved billions in R&D development costs.
At Peace, Love & Apple Pie, we believe in peace, but the ability to defend ones self. Also, more importantly, it is important to note that Pratt & Whitney company with about $2 billion in net profit in 2010, on revenues of almost $13 Billion, which is a subsidiary of United Technologies. Pratt’s parent company, United Technologies is a company which made over $8.099 in operating income in 2011, with gross revenues of over $58 Billion USD and is based in Hartford, CT.
It is our sincere belief that in an age where Bradley Manning is in jail, actually in a solitary confinement cell where he has been deprived of clothing and his glasses but for a single hour each day, with cruel and inhuman treatment. His crime, releasing information to Wikileaks about crimes that the US gov’t had done. Technically Manning is protected under Federal Whistleblower statutes, but in a politically hostile time, he has been tarred and lynched. His treatment in jail could have him with serious mental and health injury.
Enter, United Technologies and Pratt & Whitney, the corporate punishment here ought to be a sizable one. With United Technologies actually being a massive company with companies like Carrier Heating/Air Conditioning, Otis Elevators, Sikorsky Aircraft, UTC Fire & Security and more, this company yields massive profits. When examined, there is hippocracy in Washington DC when a company like Pratt/United can get off without major penalty. In many ways the crime is much worse with P&W, why? Manning was a whistleblower. In many respects much of what came out from his release was in the public interest. To know what the government was up to and in many repects how lawless the US gov’t was at the time and in many people’s opinion has only increased in the time since. There is no public interest in having technology head to China a foreign superpower competitor of the US in many areas.
Why not a massive fine and criminal charges for United/Pratt & Whitney? The penalty for willful transfer and sales of prohibited secret technology for profit if attributed to an individual could result in treason, death and more. For United Technologies to give up a mere $75 Million USD in fines seems a bit shady. One would think this company was well connected politically and worse. So, throw the book at them.
The United States government ought to call for the arrest and incarceration immediately of:
- Louis R. Chênevert, the current CEO of UTC, who is CEO of UTC, but also importantly he headed the Canadian operation of Pratt & Whitney prior.
- George David, the former CEO of UTC who now practices yachting in Bermuda and is in the process of divorcing 36 yr old Swedish Countess/Banker.
- Jail and prosecute other executives involved with the sale and transfer of technology.
More importantly, if the US gov’t can seize assets of criminals, why not seize large portions of United Technologies? Why should the shareholders be rewarded? There ought to either be a multi-billion dollar penalty or even better seizure of the corporation. Why not enough of a penalty to seize the profits from the company for the next couple of years. Yes, we advocate a penalty of 10-20 billion Dollars and operating unit seizure, namely their defense industry units.
In a day and age where the US has a police state being implemented with massive expansion of domestic military power, why not police the military industrial complex better? It is important to go after companies like United/P&W better than giving a tiny slap on the wrist. The people involved must be held accountable. Pratt & Whitney ought not get off scott free from this espionage and illegal transfer of technology.
If Occupy Wall Street protestors can be arrested, given police batons to the head or maced to the eyes with pepper spray for speaking up against the bad economy, profiting corporations and worse, why is this situation being given a tiny penalty????? The culprits of Pratt & Whitney/United Technology ought to be arrested, jailed and penalized. The shareholders ought to have major assets seized or faced with massive fines which are a real punishment that would be felt for years to come.
Defense contractors ought to be held to a higher standard and penalized massively. The US gov’t sadly treats protesters and people of conscience with harsher sentences than its on military industrial elite, even those elite who are traitors. That and Bradley Manning ought to be set free.
What do you think?
-Peace, Love & Apple Pie!
Please know this is an opinion piece!
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/07/how-us-software-ended-up-in-chinese-assault-helicopters/
Sorry to say, but people cant have it both ways. If a company is allowed to do whatever it wants under the mantra of Laissez-faire economics, those same folks cant complain when said private company decides to sell to the highest bidder, even if that bidder is not the US.
Just my two cents.
Steve,
Sorry but you obviously don’t know defense industry development where technology is also locked down with top secret and export controls. Technology can be in strict lockdown, especially such tech that is within a high level military attack helicopter.
Laissez-faire does not apply to military technology. Over years, US has limited who can get Fighter Jets, Tanks, missiles and more. This is how the US makes sure its military is strong and able to be effective. Here it isn’t even contested that this company did something wrong, they agreed to pay a tiny fine. Which is way too low.