Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter

Department of Defense ^ | 28 Jan 2005 | Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

[Echo Talon]

i don't understand why the president needs or would want a newly designed helicopter, wouldn't the secret service rather have him in an aircraft that has a tried and true design? Something that has been put thought the the ringer? Kind of strange to have the POTUS flying in a relatively untested aircraft. Seems like they should use someone already in the inventory, albeit a newer one... one that has been flow and tested but not abused.

[sandviper]

Yep...a sure sign we're turning into a third rate country with a pres with no gonad....self respect.

[Echo Talon]

HH-60 Pave Hawk I think they should get him one of these... Put doors on it.. give it a nice paint job and your done... It can refuel in the air... counter measures and has already been tested...

[Jack of all Trades]

Interesting comments. Too bad about Sikorsky. I've got a sentimental attachment to the company. My dad worked there for a lot of years designing engines into the 53 and Blackhawk.

[sandviper]

Next year Iran will be building "nukes" for us, their technology is newer.

BTW... I would love to talk to the secret service.

[Poohbah]

BTW... I would love to talk to the secret service.

Actually, you wouldn't; you're going to get locked up any time the President visits your area.

[MistrX]

$1.7 BILLION for a helicopter??!!!
WHAT?

[Poohbah]

$1.7 billion for a fleet of 23 helicopters that carry the President and Cabinet officers.

[tioga]

a fleet of presidential helicopters

[PAR35]

$1.7 billion for a fleet of 23 helicopters that carry the President and Cabinet officers.

I would rather see the money spent on items for national defense. The Bush administration is cutting hardware needed for our soldiers and sailors, so the timing on this announcement is inappropriate at best.

[sandviper]

We are spending almost or more then $2 Billion dollars to a company that is subsidized by governments that would like nothing better then see us financially destroyed. A pathetic effort at buying a little good will with these bozo's....Fat chance

[tioga]

Lockheed Martin is an American company, they worked hard for this contract and earned it. The clintoon years nearly destroyed this area, this is a major comeback for the region. Those of us who know the Americans who worked on this and earned it are deliriously happy tonight.

Why we have even been tolerant of hillary being here to celebrate we are so happy.

[1rudeboy]

Britain and Italy want to see us destroyed?

[sandviper]

This aircraft is being made in Brittan and Italy and these are high end blue collar jobs being out sourced. Sorry to say that very little of the money will go into American pockets. Visit Brittan and see how most Brits feel about their perception of our wealth. We're just a necessary evil to help keep the E.U. from gobbling them up.
Hillary is ecstatic about it so that should tell you something.

[1rudeboy]

You might want to re-read reply #25, if you bothered to read it in the first place.

[68skylark]

Oh, sorry, just some socialist ranting! /sarcasm off.

Good post! You've made me want to double our helicopter order -- just to soak up money that would otherwise be wasted on the types of useless spending you mention.

[solitas]

Yup. Hell hath no fury like a Senator whose state didn't get a big defense contract.

Sh_t-for-brains was too busy jerking-off on his second failure as a presidential candidate to actually DO any work for Connecticut concerning the contract.

And the other senator (dodd) was either passed-out or trying to make a 'waitress sandwich' somewhere without his fat, alcoholic massachusetts cohort - the one with the two dead brothers.

[bray]

W would look good in an Apache!! Would be able to keep those RINOs in the Senate in line too.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[solitas]

Unfortunately doesn't that badboy have a dubious safety record

Okay then: how about the next DEMOCRAPIC president goes around (and down, HARD) in one of those?

[sandviper]

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who was at the Sikorsky plant in Stratford, and other Connecticut lawmakers pledged to fight the decision.

"It looks like the U.S. Navy just shot down an American helicopter," said Rep. Rob Simmons, R-Conn. "This deal results in a net loss of American jobs. We're going to over this with a fine-toothed comb."

DeLauro added, "'Made in America' should mean something. The Defense Department has some explaining to do."

The $6.1 billion program includes $2.5 billion for development and $3.6 billion to buy the aircraft. Lockheed will receive an initial installment of $1.6 billion.

Hummmmm 6.1 bil....and most likely 200 more ships for rescue.