Lockheed AgustaWestland Beats Sikorsky for US Presidential Helicopter Contract
Posted 2-1-2005 at 10:30 PM
The U.S. Navy has given a transatlantic team led by Lockheed Martin a $1.7 billion (900 million pound) contract to build a new fleet of 23 U.S. presidential helicopters, a deal valued at up to $6.1 billion.
The decision was a stunning setback for Connecticut-based United Technologies's Sikorsky Aircraft unit -- which for nearly 50 years has built and maintained the green and white "Marine One" helicopters that fly the president.
Sikorsky had wrapped itself in the American flag to pitch its twin-engined VH-92, based on the Black Hawk helicopter.
But lower cost, a larger cabin and faster delivery schedule allowed No. 1 Pentagon supplier Lockheed to prevail with its US101, based on the three-engined EH101 made by AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica.
The deal attracted international attention, with Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Silvio Berlusconi personally pressing President George W. Bush on behalf of Lockheed's British-Italian design.
Assistant Navy Secretary John Young said the decision came after an "exhaustive and deliberative" search and would ensure a high level of quality and safety for future presidents.
"This decision truly reflects the best value and capability for the American taxpayer who is funding it, the Marines who will operate it and future presidents who will fly in it," Young said in a statement on Friday.
Full Story @
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=663117
Related:
Canadian Armed Forces chose the Sikorsky S-92 over the EH-101 as their next helicopter to replace their aging SeaKing fleet last year.
The U.S. Navy has given a transatlantic team led by Lockheed Martin a $1.7 billion (900 million pound) contract to build a new fleet of 23 U.S. presidential helicopters, a deal valued at up to $6.1 billion.
The decision was a stunning setback for Connecticut-based United Technologies's Sikorsky Aircraft unit -- which for nearly 50 years has built and maintained the green and white "Marine One" helicopters that fly the president.
Sikorsky had wrapped itself in the American flag to pitch its twin-engined VH-92, based on the Black Hawk helicopter.
But lower cost, a larger cabin and faster delivery schedule allowed No. 1 Pentagon supplier Lockheed to prevail with its US101, based on the three-engined EH101 made by AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica.
The deal attracted international attention, with Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Silvio Berlusconi personally pressing President George W. Bush on behalf of Lockheed's British-Italian design.
Assistant Navy Secretary John Young said the decision came after an "exhaustive and deliberative" search and would ensure a high level of quality and safety for future presidents.
"This decision truly reflects the best value and capability for the American taxpayer who is funding it, the Marines who will operate it and future presidents who will fly in it," Young said in a statement on Friday.
Full Story @
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=663117
Related:
Canadian Armed Forces chose the Sikorsky S-92 over the EH-101 as their next helicopter to replace their aging SeaKing fleet last year.
