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The President's New Helicopter
LiveScience.com ^ | 5/8/06 | Jonathan Keats

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: bush; helicopter; lockheedmartin; marineone; president; sikorsky
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An illustration of the next Marine One


1 posted on 05/08/2006 10:28:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge
$6.1-billion makeover of Marine One

They must be joking.

2 posted on 05/08/2006 10:29:43 AM PDT by Glenn (There is a looming Tupperware shortage. Plan appropriately.)
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To: NormsRevenge
$6.1-billion makeover of Marine One

That's absolutely out-effing-ragrous!!!

3 posted on 05/08/2006 10:30:34 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: NormsRevenge

What's the little fin-thing sticking out of the top there? What's it mounted to? < /landlubber >


4 posted on 05/08/2006 10:31:40 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: NormsRevenge

Got more pics? Side by side comparison?


5 posted on 05/08/2006 10:32:32 AM PDT by LikeLight
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To: theDentist

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.


6 posted on 05/08/2006 10:32:39 AM PDT by santorumlite
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To: NormsRevenge

Why not make an Osprey the new Marine 1?


7 posted on 05/08/2006 10:33:06 AM PDT by Gefreiter ("Are you drinking 1% because you think you're fat?")
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To: Glenn

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


8 posted on 05/08/2006 10:33:24 AM PDT by Flyer (Illegal immigration - There, it's been mentioned, now get back on topic)
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To: NormsRevenge
$6.1-billion makeover of Marine One

I assume it can land on Mars.

9 posted on 05/08/2006 10:33:24 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: martin_fierro

I think that "little fin-thing" is just the 5th blade in artist's perspective.


10 posted on 05/08/2006 10:33:41 AM PDT by LikeLight
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To: Gefreiter

Only if it's a Dim in office, please.


11 posted on 05/08/2006 10:33:41 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Glenn

23 of them cost 6.1 billion.

one of them is about 250 million.


12 posted on 05/08/2006 10:34:31 AM PDT by santorumlite
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To: martin_fierro

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.


13 posted on 05/08/2006 10:35:51 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: santorumlite; Glenn
23 of them cost 6.1 billion

one of them is about 250 million.

With six you get eggroll.

14 posted on 05/08/2006 10:36:30 AM PDT by new cruelty
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To: Glenn

That can't be right.


15 posted on 05/08/2006 10:36:31 AM PDT by BlueAngel
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To: santorumlite
Enough with the bush bashing.

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.

16 posted on 05/08/2006 10:36:49 AM PDT by keat
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To: santorumlite

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?


17 posted on 05/08/2006 10:37:16 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: LikeLight

Here's a site with a bit of history about Marine One.. has some pics as well.

http://www.rotorhead.org/military/marine1.asp


18 posted on 05/08/2006 10:37:35 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: NormsRevenge

and here from the White House

http://www.whitehouse.gov/whmo/hmx1.html


19 posted on 05/08/2006 10:38:32 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: martin_fierro

That's one of the rotors! Look closely....


20 posted on 05/08/2006 10:38:35 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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