An illustration of the next Marine One
Posted on 05/08/2006 10:28:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
After decades of upgrades to a fleet of notoriously cramped Sikorsky VH-3 Sea Kings, the White House has tasked Lockheed Martin with a dramatic, $6.1-billion makeover of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, starting this summer. The goal: to fit a mobile Oval Office into the tight quarters of a chopper. The new fleet will consist of 23 VH-71 aircraft, each of which will have 200 square feet of cabin space, nearly double the Sea King’s 116.
Aside from the legroom, the copter will incorporate major upgrades to the old defense and communications systems. Equally important is that the aircraft is flight-proven—the $110-million bird is derived from a European-built AgustaWestland EH101, currently doing military service for Canada and the U.K. Here, an inside look at the revamped Marine One, set to gradually go into service between 2009 and 2014.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
An illustration of the next Marine One
They must be joking.
That's absolutely out-effing-ragrous!!!
What's the little fin-thing sticking out of the top there? What's it mounted to? < /landlubber >
Got more pics? Side by side comparison?
This is not for Bush.
This is for future presidents. Doesn't come into service until 2009-2014.
This is not bush's helicopter he will never use it.
Enough with the bush bashing.
Why not make an Osprey the new Marine 1?
I would guess the 6.1 billion is for all 23 of them. Still, a lot of money.
I assume it can land on Mars.
I think that "little fin-thing" is just the 5th blade in artist's perspective.
Only if it's a Dim in office, please.
23 of them cost 6.1 billion.
one of them is about 250 million.
which one,? there is a little black one way up front most likely a HF antenna or such, and then there is a what looks like a radar dome on top of the 5 rotor assembly.
one of them is about 250 million.
With six you get eggroll.
That can't be right.
I didn't see anyone bash Bush but, since you brought it up, don't you find this a little wasteful?
I understand, reading the article that it is for 27 aircraft but:
(a) Do we need 27?
(b) That's $225 Mil a piece.
How was I Bush bashing, or is that just your knee-jerk reaction to anything that says "President"? And how can you not think a 6 BILLION dollar makeover isn't outragrous, no matter who is in office?
Here's a site with a bit of history about Marine One.. has some pics as well.
http://www.rotorhead.org/military/marine1.asp
and here from the White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov/whmo/hmx1.html
That's one of the rotors! Look closely....
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