Posted on 01/28/2005 3:10:45 PM PST by Cornpone
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.
Fox News said Lieberman what pretty 'hot' over this news.
$1.7 billion for a damned chopper????? Man, think of the homeless we could house, the water we could clean up, the owls we could save, the democrats we could get elected, the slush funds we could contribute too, the abortions we could pay for, wow. Oh, sorry, just some socialist ranting! /sarcasm off.
Yup. Hell hath no fury like a Senator whose state didn't get a big defense contract.
CNN Lou Dobbs just picked up on this story to.
It's for a FLEET! Now how many in a fleet? I'll wait...
Yeah, LIEberman became pretty hawkish once he got his check from Sikorsky...
Him and Dodd were against every military defense budget of the 1980's until the Berlin Wall fell down...and they realized it meant jobs in Ct...and that meant votes!
I think its 30 plus birds...
A $1.7 billion fleet of $1.7 billion worth of choppers? But, what about the homeless, what about Hillery's health care system, what about Algore, Screamer Dean, F'n Kerry wishes? What about Ted Kennedy's swimming life saving classes??? What about . . . . . . oh, shut up. ;^)
Not trying to sound like a whinging democrat, but 1.7 Billion is ridiculous, I want to know what this thing can do.
How many F-22s or SumperJumbo's could be bought with that sorta money?????
This is sort of related to your post but not the subject at hand. I saw a great bumper sticker yesterday that read, "Nuke the Whales"
They DON'T get to ride in it!
Well, one thing it can certainly do is pay the political slush funds of Jacques Chirac and Gerhardt Schroeder...just kidding.
I always thought the pres should zip around in this bad boy:
That would have to be one heavy duty lifting bird to pick up fat assed Ted Kennedy's butt and gutt!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.