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On 28 January 2005 the Department of Defense announced that the team led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, New York, had been selected to build the new presidential helicopter (VXX) based on its US101 medium lift helicopter. [1]
The FAA has approved the helicopter for installation of various protective countermeasures, and it could easily be adapted to the Marine One role, according to those close to the program. [2]
The VH-71 presidential helicopter program achieved another major milestone today when the first operational pilot production helicopter (PP-1) completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s facility in Yeovil, England. [3]
Increment 2 will provide a fleet of 23 aircraft with enhanced capability that meet the White House requirements for a mobile command and control platform for the office of the president. [4]
The EH101 was developed by EH Industries, a joint venture of the British Westland Aircraft and Italian Agusta companies. [5]
“Every aircraft that flies brings us a step closer to fielding helicopters that will serve the office of the president,” said Jeff Bantle, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the VH-71 program. [3]
In January 2005, Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to build the next-generation presidential helicopter to replace the aging fleet of H-3s and H-60s currently in use, which will start being retired in 2017. [4]
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. [6]
FY09 funds were adjusted due to Increment Two execution associated with concurrency with Increment One development, design, and production. [1]
The Department of Defense is currently reassessing the program and perhaps seeking alternatives that could include the Sikorsky S-92 or remanufacturing the current fleet, but either of those options is still viewed as unlikely, according to officials close to the program. [2]
This $1.7 billion, cost plus award fee contract would launch the VXX program’s system development and demonstration phase during which the program would integrate a “system of systems” with a modern, in-production aircraft to provide the president with safe and reliable helicopter transportation. [1]
The Navy and Marine Corps had determined the need for a material solution for a Vertical Lift Aircraft (VXX) to Conduct Presidential Support Missions. [7]
The VH-71 Kestrel, a variant of the AgustaWestland AW101 (formerly EH101), is being developed to replace the United States Marine Corps ‘ Marine One Presidential transport fleet. [5]
Two test aircraft are in flight testing with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. [4]
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) was required to provide safe and timely transportation for the President and Vice President of the United States, heads of state and others as directed by the White House Military Office (WHMO). [7]
Sources:
[1] VH-71 Kestrel / Marine One
[2] Program Update: VH-71 Kestrel: AINonline
[3] First VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Production Aircraft Takes Flight …
[4] VH-71 | Lockheed Martin
[5] VH-71 Kestrel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[6] vh-71 | Popular Science
[7] VH-71 “Kestrel” / VXX Vertical Lift Aircraft