(NEW)Presidential Helicopter Touches Down in Owego ($11.2 Bil, Part of New Fleet for Obama)

OWEGO, N.Y. -- The latest incarnation of the presidential helicopter touched down here Friday. And though it may not resemble the Marine One we know so well, it just needs a little time.

"We're going to integrate a series of mission equipment, communications equipment, paint it, put in the interior and begin the flight test afterwards at our facility in Maryland," said Kevin Westfall, the VH-71's business operations director.

Meet the VH-71, part of a new fleet of nearly 30 presidential helicopters that will be added to the Marine One Squadron over the next decade. Lockheed-Martin won the systems integration contract in 2005 and they're thrilled the first non-test chopper is finally ready.

"It's extremely exciting for the Owego facility. It's a large program. There are many disciplines involved. It's great to actually see it here," added Westfall.

Helicopters in the current fleet are 30 to 40 years old, so the VH-71 represents a much-needed upgrade.

"This helicopter has advanced communications capabilities over the current fleet. The point of that is to allow the president to be in touch at all times. From here, the president can call other aircraft, he can call Air Force One, military installations, so it's pretty advanced from what exists right now," said Monica Hallman, a Lockheed spokesperson.

The helicopters will arrive in two phases: five rapidly produced choppers over the next few years and then 23 more aircraft down the road. But a high-tech flier like this isn't cheap.

"The cost of the program was originally around $1.8 billion and we continued to get changes and the costs have grown as a result," said Westfall.

New estimates put the cost of the whole program around $11.2 billion. But, perhaps, a small price to pay to help out the new commander-in-chief.

While Lockheed performs the complex systems integration, the Anglo-Italian company AugustaWestland is charged with designing and building the bulk of the presidential helicopter

Meet the VH-71

Lockheed News:

Bethesda, MD, January 9th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT] has completed its acquisition of Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. (UNITECH). UNITECH provides interactive training and simulation, homeland security, and technical solutions to the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and other U.S. and international government agencies.

U.S. Navy Awards Lockheed Martin Non-Guard Services Contract Seabrook, Md., January 9th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded an indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide non-guard security support services to the Commander, Naval Installations Command (CNIC).

Lockheed Martin Awarded Machinery Control System Modernization Contract for U.S. Navy Destroyers ORLANDO, FL, January 8th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $15 million firm-fixed-price contract as part of the U.S. Navy’s Modernization Program for the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The contract – for initial Machinery Control System (MCS) shipsets and related equipment – includes options and engineering services which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $51.5 million.

Lockheed Martin Team Wins Role on Key Department of Defense Biometrics Contract Vehicle Corporation One of 12 Industry Leaders Chosen for BOSS-U Rockville, MD, January 8th, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Defense Biometrics Task Force (BTF) has named Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] an industry leader capable of being awarded task orders under the Biometrics Operations and Support Services – Unrestricted (BOSS-U) vehicle.

December 17, 2008 Lockheed Martin Receives $147 Million Contract to Provide U.S. Coast Guard with Additional Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Mission System Pallets

Source of sunny days for Lockeed

And..somedays you need an umbrella:

Online European Electronics: (Irma Mehmedovic) Lockheed Martin in risk of losing electronics suppliers over F-22 fighter decision. The company urges the new US administration to make a quick decision on the continuation of the F-22 fighter program. Lookheed Martin runs risk of losing critical suppliers, if the decision is postponed for too long. Lockheed is rumoured to pay some suppliers out of its own pockets to ensure that the supply of critical parts is not interrupted

The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

133 mi – about 2 hours 17 mins

Oswego, NY

1. Head southeast on E River Rd/RT-481 toward Hubbard St
Continue to follow RT-481 31.0 mi
2. Take exit 9S to merge onto I-81 S toward Syracuse 79.5 mi
3. Take the State Hwy 17 W exit toward Owego/Elmira 0.4 mi
4. Merge onto RT-17 W 20.6 mi
5. Take exit 64 toward Owego/State Hwy 96 0.2 mi
6. Turn left at Halstead Ave/Lackawanna Ave 0.3 mi
7. Turn right at RT-434/Southside Dr 0.2 mi
8. Turn right at RT-96/Susquehanna River Bridge Rd 0.3 mi
9. Turn right at Front St/RT-17C/RT-96 66 ft
10. Turn left at Court St/RT-17C/RT-96 0.1 mi
11. Turn right at Main St/RT-96 144 ft

Owego, NY
:P

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