jdhill 0 #1 January 28, 2005 Well, at least the Brits and Italians... QuoteLockheed reportedly to build Marine One Long-time presidential helicopter maker dealt major setback BREAKING NEWS Updated: 4:46 p.m. ET Jan. 28, 2005 WASHINGTON - In a surprise move, the U.S. Navy has chosen a trans-Atlantic team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. to build a new U.S. presidential helicopter fleet, a congressional source familiar with the decision said Friday. The decision was a stunning setback for Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky Aircraft unit —which for nearly 50 years has built and maintained the green and white “Marine One” helicopters that fly the president. Lawmakers say Lockheed Martin will build the next fleet of presidential helicopters. Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Although it is not the first time the US military has bought a foreign weapon system, it is the first time it will be the Presidential Transport (Marine One)... JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #2 January 28, 2005 What are you thinking? NOTHING will make the Euros happy........ unless we become a crown colony againMarc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #3 January 28, 2005 QuoteWhat are you thinking? NOTHING will make the Euros happy........ unless we become a crown colony again 3... 2... 1... Speakers Corner.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #4 January 28, 2005 (Turtle, this IS Speaker's Corner... You went for the blue pill again, uh?) "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #5 January 28, 2005 ***(Turtle, this IS Speaker's Corner... You went for the blue pill again, uh?) BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAMarc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,595 #6 January 29, 2005 QuoteAlthough it is not the first time the US military has bought a foreign weapon system, it is the first time it will be the Presidential Transport (Marine One)... Yeah, notice that it had to be called a Lockheed Martin. If Augusta Westlands had done the pitch themselves it probably wouldn't have been looked at. (You know us euro's, never happy unless we're bitching)Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #7 January 29, 2005 a little more news... QuoteUS101 Selected by U.S. Navy for Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program OWEGO, NY, January 28, 2005 – The U.S. Navy today selected the US101 for a new fleet of "Marine One" helicopters for the President of the United States. Lockheed Martin, which leads Team US101 as prime contractor, will receive a $1.7 billion contract from the Navy for the Marine One program's systems development and demonstration phase. The team will build and equip the US101 medium-lift helicopter to provide a safe and secure "Oval Office in the Sky" for the President. "We are honored that trust has been placed in Lockheed Martin and Team US101 for this vital and highly visible mission," said Robert J. Stevens, president and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT]. "All members of Team US101, as well as the executive leadership of the team's parent corporations, are committed to meeting the demanding requirements of the U.S. government as we provide the world's best helicopter system to serve our nation's President." Team US101 will immediately begin work on the program, building on the staff and facilities already in place to support Navy-funded risk reduction activities under way since March 2004. Near-term activities involve the establishment of a secure presidential helicopter facility, including a new integration center and hangars, at an existing Lockheed Martin site in Owego, NY, and construction of helicopter assembly facilities at Amarillo, TX. Staff recruiting also is under way. "We are proud to contribute our proven helicopter, backed by significant operational experience, to serve as the basis for the American President's new Marine One fleet," said Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, chairman and chief executive officer of Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland's parent corporation. "We are confident that the US101 will provide the best capability for the President, and we are delighted that the U.S. government has chosen to entrust Team US101 with this important responsibility." More than 200 suppliers in 41 states support Team US101, led by Lockheed Martin with teammates Agusta Westland and Bell Helicopter Textron. Suppliers include some of America's leading aerospace companies, such as General Electric, ITT, Northrop Grumman, Kaman Aerospace and Palomar Products. Based on the current contract schedule, the first US101 ready to transport the President is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet of 23 US101 delivered to the Marine One squadron by late 2014. Team US101 is led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego, which serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the American-built US101 aircraft, an American variant of AgustaWestland’s successful EH101 multimission helicopter. The US101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise and experience to this program: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor and systems integration), AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and Bell Helicopter (aircraft production), while General Electric will supply each helicopter with three, 2,500 shaft-horsepower CT7-8E engines. QuoteNo. 094-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2005 Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter The Department of Defense announced today that the team led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., has been selected to build the new presidential helicopter (VXX) based on its U.S. 101 medium lift helicopter. This $1.7 billion, cost plus award fee contract will launch the VXX program’s system development and demonstration phase during which the program will integrate a “system of systems” with a modern, in-production aircraft to provide the president with safe and reliable helicopter transportation. “Today’s announcement is a significant milestone that caps an exhaustive and deliberative source selection process that carefully followed the Federal Acquisition Regulations,” said John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. “The determined effort, long hours and hard work by both the VXX government team and the two industry teams will ensure a high level of quality and safety for future presidents, as well as a timely, efficient and effective program execution.” “This decision truly reflects the best value and capability for the American taxpayer who is funding it, the Marines who will operate it and the future presidents who will fly in it,” Young added. The fleet of helicopters that currently supports the presidential mission includes 30-year old aircraft that were designed in the 1960’s, fielded in the 1970’s and no longer has the growth capability to incorporate the equipment necessary to provide suitable presidential support in the post 9-11 environment. “Under this replacement program, with its technology and performance improvements, a single platform will provide better savings in total ownership costs, engineering, maintenance and logistical support over the lifetime of the program,” Young said. “The president needs a more survivable helicopter while the nation engages in the Global War on Terrorism, and we are committed to providing it as soon as possible.” The original Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program of record proposed an initial operating capability in 2013. The VXX program was accelerated in 2003 with a currently planned IOC in fiscal year 2009. For more information, please contact Navy Public Affairs at (703) 697-5342. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cloudseeker2001 0 #8 January 31, 2005 why 23 of them? "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #9 January 31, 2005 "an American variant of AgustaWestland’s successful EH101 multimission helicopter." Cool, you and I talked about this a while back, Josh.Its a nice looking chopper, they were test flying it around Aberdeen a couple of years ago. Here's a snap of a couple of them over Aberdeen harbour area.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #10 January 31, 2005 Quotewhy 23 of them? So they can be staged over the US, MX, and to rotate them so you never can be sure which one the Prez will be on at any given flight."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
