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Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter
Department of Defense ^ | 28 Jan 2005 | Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: defense; europe; helicopter; helicopters; lockheedmartin; marineone; president; vxx
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To: Cornpone
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.
61 posted on 01/28/2005 4:37:20 PM PST by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com/)
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To: Rider on the Rain
Yep...a sure sign we're turning into a third rate country with a pres with no gonad....self respect.
62 posted on 01/28/2005 4:38:50 PM PST by sandviper
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To: sandviper
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...
63 posted on 01/28/2005 4:56:59 PM PST by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com/)
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To: Poohbah

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.


64 posted on 01/28/2005 4:59:29 PM PST by Jack of all Trades
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To: Poohbah
Next year Iran will be building "nukes" for us, their technology is newer.

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

65 posted on 01/28/2005 5:08:17 PM PST by sandviper
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To: sandviper
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.

66 posted on 01/28/2005 5:11:20 PM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: Cornpone

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


67 posted on 01/28/2005 5:25:53 PM PST by MistrX
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To: MistrX

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


68 posted on 01/28/2005 5:34:27 PM PST by Poohbah (God must love fools. He makes so many of them...)
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To: RetiredArmy
a fleet of presidential helicopters
69 posted on 01/28/2005 5:41:53 PM PST by tioga
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To: Poohbah
$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.

70 posted on 01/28/2005 5:45:20 PM PST by PAR35
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To: MistrX

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


71 posted on 01/28/2005 5:48:14 PM PST by sandviper
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To: Poohbah
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.

72 posted on 01/28/2005 5:52:05 PM PST by tioga
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To: sandviper

Britain and Italy want to see us destroyed?


73 posted on 01/28/2005 5:54:32 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy

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.


74 posted on 01/28/2005 6:25:35 PM PST by sandviper
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To: sandviper

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


75 posted on 01/28/2005 6:34:31 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: RetiredArmy
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.

76 posted on 01/28/2005 6:54:36 PM PST by 68skylark
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To: Poohbah
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.

77 posted on 01/28/2005 6:57:24 PM PST by solitas (So what if I support a platform that has fewer flaws than yours? 'Mystic' dual 500 G4's, OSX.3.6)
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To: 68skylark
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

78 posted on 01/28/2005 7:00:10 PM PST by bray (The Rather-hate Scandal was to support Fraudulant 911)
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To: powderblue67; ChadGore
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?

79 posted on 01/28/2005 7:00:35 PM PST by solitas (So what if I support a platform that has fewer flaws than yours? 'Mystic' dual 500 G4's, OSX.3.6)
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To: 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.

80 posted on 01/28/2005 7:28:46 PM PST by sandviper
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