[Glenn]

$6.1-billion makeover of Marine One

They must be joking.

[Flyer]

I would guess the 6.1 billion is for all 23 of them. Still, a lot of money.

[santorumlite]

23 of them cost 6.1 billion.

one of them is about 250 million.

[BlueAngel]

That can't be right.

[Salgak]

Read the FINE print. That's total program cost. $110 million per bird. Base helicopter is likely in the 40-60 million per unit range: add the electronics and defensive suites, and 110 mil per is a reasonable conclusion.

Remember, brand-new LIGHT helicopters range from 1-8 million each for civilian-spec birds. . .

[clawrence3]

I don't have a problem with this purchase - it was awarded last year you know.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I had to read it twice. Sure enough, it's billion with a "b". At triple the cost of a B-2, that damn thing had better be stealth, ride so smooth that Mr. Prez can drink an open cup of coffee without spilling any on his tie, and be able to reconfigure itself into a James Bond mini-submarine.