The White House Historical Association’s Official 2019 White House Christmas Ornament honors Dwight D. Eisenhower, the thirty-fourth president of the United States. This ornament symbolizes President Eisenhower’s commitment to innovation. Eisenhower was the first president to fly in a helicopter while in office in July 1957, and thereafter the helicopter became a feature of White… Read more »
Source: WHHA, 08-Dec-19
The retired Marine One helicopter that was once host to President Nixon, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford, was driven in a flatbed truck to the Chino Airport, where it will be refurbished by Rancho Cucamonga’s California Aero Fab. This refurbishment is part of a $15 million renovation of the Nixon Presidential Library and… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Sep-16
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced the successful execution of the VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program Critical Design Review (CDR), signaling the program is ready to proceed to assembly, test and evaluation. The joint Sikorsky/Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) VH-92A helicopter program team met in July with key collaborators from government and industry for an… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 25-Jul-16
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded $7,912,270 for modification P00022 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract (N00019-14-C-0050) for integration of formation lighting into the VH-92A Integrated Air Vehicle in support of the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. Efforts will include the design, development, qualification/certification, documentation, and… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 10-Mar-16
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded a $14,223,772 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of special progressive aircraft rework sustainment support services, including security, project engineering, integrated logistics support, VIP helicopter training, and program support for the Presidential Helicopters Program. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (88 percent); and Quantico, Virginia (12 percent)…. Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 30-Nov-15
The Jakarta Post is reporting that the Indonesian Government have ordered three AW101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for VVIP work, quoting Air Force spokesman First Marshall Dwi Badarmanto saying that the aircraft had been included in the 2014-19 strategic plan. The three helicopters will replace a single AS332 Super Puma, with the expectation that the scope… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Nov-15
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation announced today the successful completion of the VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program Preliminary Design Review (PDR), completion of the integration and performance testing of mission communications system (MCS) components, and Sikorsky’s acceptance of the second S-92A™ aircraft for the program. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX)…. Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 06-Nov-15
Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that the Omnibus spending bill – a must-pass bill that funds the federal government through the end of the fiscal year – includes $368,086,000 for the Presidential Helicopter program and $100 million for the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) program, two major helicopter construction projects being… Read more »
Source: Lockheed Martin, 15-Dec-14
Three KC-130J Super Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 left Cherry Point May 27 for a week-long deployment in support of Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 as the helicopter squadron completed its first trans-Atlantic flight in the squadron’s MV-22B Ospreys. Four Ospreys from HMX-1 crossed the Atlantic bound for the 70th D-Day Anniversary Ceremony… Read more »
Source: US Marine Corps, 03-Jun-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded a $1,244,677,064 fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement program. This contract provides for the procurement of six test aircraft and the associated support equipment, integration of mature government-defined mission systems, a training system including a flight training device… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 09-May-14
Editor note – You would not believe from the press release below that Sikorsky was the ONLY remaining bidder for this program, but that was the case. See this story from Reuters to put it all in context. The U.S. Navy today announced that Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 08-May-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $14,947,975 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-14-G-0004) under the Cabin Interior Phase IIA Program, to include a cabin redesign to reduce the total gross weight allowing for greater lift capability of the VH-3D In-Service Presidential Helicopter. Work will be performed in… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 31-Mar-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $21,624,392 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for special progressive aircraft rework for one VH-3D and two VH-60N presidential helicopters, including two months of field level support. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn. (99 percent) and Quantico, Va. (1… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 26-Mar-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $10,906,165 modification to an existing delivery order against a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) for security and integrated logistic support in support of the VH assistant program manager for logistics for the VH-3D and VH-60N presidential helicopters. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn. (88 percent)… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 12-Feb-14
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, carried out testing of the new Mi-171A2 and Mi-38 helicopters at the National Helicopter Building Centre (NHBC) in Tomilino, Moscow Region. The tests were attended by Vladimir Kozhin, Chief of the Presidential Property Management Directorate. The NHBC is currently carrying out the first round… Read more »
Source: Russian Helicopters, 21-Nov-13
Technical issue on Presidential helicopter prevented take-off
25-Sep-13
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) rationale for waiving the competitive prototyping requirement in the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, as amended (WSARA), for the VXX program addresses one of the two bases provided in the statute; namely that the cost of producing competitive prototypes exceeds the expected life-cycle benefits (in constant dollars) of… Read more »
Source: GAO, 11-Sep-13
Is the US military writing RFPs around the aircraft they want to win? Or is the S92 genuinely the only helicopter type which could meet the spec? You decide after reading this article
Source: Reuters, 01-Aug-13
Manufacturer AgustaWestland will not bid for the US VXX programme to replace the presidential helicopter fleet, despite winning a previous competition, says the company. see full story
Source: FlightGlobal, 31-Jul-13
Today the Navy issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program (VXX). Proposals are due in 90 days with a goal to award a fixed-price incentive engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract, with production options, by mid-calendar year 2014. “Our acquisition approach includes a full and open competition to select a… Read more »
Source: US Navy, 06-May-13
Aircraft 197, the first MV-22 to be assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) 1, hovers over the runway during a test flight at the Bell-Boeing V-22 assembly plant in Amarillo, Texas, on Jan. 22. The aircraft, crewed by pilot Marine Corps Maj. Chuck Bodwell, co-pilot Capt. William Thomas and crew chief Staff Sgt. Ronald Benton… Read more »
Source: US Navy, 25-Jan-13
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $22,055,922 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for special progressive aircraft rework of two fiscal 2013 VH-60N aircraft. In addition this modification includes the associated vendor repairable and component overhaul for the VH-60N and the VH-3D aircrafts. Funds will… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 18-Oct-12
Officials from the Secret Service and FAA met with the tour companies last week to offer an alternative to grounding their helicopters. The plan moved the eight tour companies’ operations to the Jean Airport, where the FAA set up a temporary air traffic control tower to ensure safe aircraft operations. (see full story)
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05-Oct-12
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $41,476,433 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for security, project engineering, integrated logistics support, VH trainingand technical manual updates in support of VH Presidential Helicopter including special progressive aircraft rework of three VH-3D aircraft. Funds will be obligated on individual… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 28-Sep-12
The formal start of the VXX presidential helicopter program has been delayed, as finding an acceptable solution has proved elusive. Last year, we reported that the VXX effort was in the earliest stages of development–still developing a business case to launch product development. At that time, an AOA—required for a Milestone A decision initiating the… Read more »
Source: GAO, 06-Mar-12
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $20,521,388 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) for special progressive aircraft rework of two VH-3D and one VH-60N executive helicopters, including vendor repairables and component overhaul. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Work will be performed in Stratford,… Read more »
21-Feb-12
Suniva, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced its panels are being used to power the newest— and largest— solar array installed by FLS Energy at the Marine Helicopter Squadron 1’s greenside hangar at Quantico, home to the president’s Marine One helicopter. The 120-kilowatt system features 500 of… Read more »
Source: Suniva, 13-Jan-12
One of the pledges made by Barack Obama prior to being elected President was to was to cancel the presidential VH-71 Kestrel helicopter program – which had been awarded by his predessor George Bush after British prime minister Tony Blair had cosied up to him on behalf of AgustaWestland. However, Bush’s administration then changed the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 27-Jun-11
HAI President Matt Zuccaro joined the leaders of several other general aviation associations earlier this month in a letter to TSA Administrator John S. Pistole expressing the need for TSA to work with industry to minimize the impact on general aviation businesses due to temporary flight restrictions (TFR) created to support presidential travel. Zuccaro and the… Read more »
Source: HAI, 09-Jun-11
“We chose not to take this trip,†Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Keefe told reporters in Washington today. The “sheer amount of integration effort†required for the new program didn’t match the company’s core skills, he said.
Source: Business Week, 05-Mar-11
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Feb. 24 an $8,659,976 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for the procurement of VH-3D executive helicopter special progressive aircraft rework, vendor repairables and component overhaul. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed in… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 28-Feb-11
AVIC is preparing proposals, in partnership with existing partner US Aerospace, to bid for the US Navy’s VXX helicopter programme as well as a current fixed-wing requirement
Source: Janes, 27-Jan-11
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $17,668,830 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for the fiscal 2011 VH-3D/VH-60N executive helicopter special progressive aircraft rework effort. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds in the… Read more »
15-Oct-10
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded an $11,655,079 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00421-06-G-0006) for services in support of the VH-60N presidential helicopter cockpit upgrade program. Services to be provided include incorporation of updated navigation performance area navigation software; terrain awareness warning system software; Mode 5 Level… Read more »
Source: US Dept of Defense, 12-Oct-10
Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $10,077,448 modification to the previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee VH-71 system development and demonstration contract (N00019-05-C-0030), which was terminated for the convenience of the government. This modification provides funding for post-termination related expenses, including, but not limited to, the physical inventory of contractor acquired… Read more »
Source: US Dept of Defense, 09-Sep-10
For now the Navy will say only that its Request for Information deadline is June 17, not June 18 as referenced by Boeing in a press release Monday
Source: Press Connects, 09-Jun-10
Boeing announced today that it will secure a license from AgustaWestland for U.S. production of the AW101 medium-lift helicopter as an entry into the U.S. Navy VXX Presidential Helicopter Program. This license will give Boeing full intellectual property, data and production rights for the aircraft in support of the VXX program. Because of this arrangement,… Read more »
Source: Boeing, 08-Jun-10
It may seem an unlikely choice but Bell Helicopter and Boeing say they are likely players in the presidential helicopter competition. They told Defense Daily that they are “preparing a response to the RFI request with a VV-22 solution.â€
Source: DoD Buzz, 23-Apr-10
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) today announced the signing of a teaming agreement to compete jointly for the U.S. Navy’s revived VXX Presidential Helicopter program. The agreement formally positions global helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky as the prime contractor offering its H-92â„¢ medium-lift helicopter for the presidential transport… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 20-Apr-10
Bolivia has signed for a Falcon 900EX jet, and is considering both Antonov An148 fixed wing and Mil-17 helicopters
Source: Cavok, 14-Apr-10
AgustaWestland’s Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Orsi, has welcomed the issuing of the US Presidential helicopter request for information (RfI)
Source: Key Aero, 22-Feb-10
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), in whose district Lockheed Martin assembles the VH-71, said that he secured more than $100 million in the negotiated 2010 Pentagon spending bill to continue some work on the program. The funds would technically allow the work force in Owego, N.Y., to continue outfitting the helicopters with mission systems.
Source: The Hill, 14-Dec-09
Alhough the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee did not add funding in the Senate defense appropriations bill to extend the VH-71 presidential helicopter program, the House of Representatives in July approved $400M in its companion bill to continue work on the program, with the objective of making the five “pilot production†VH-71As into operational helicopters for… Read more »
Source: AIN, 11-Sep-09
A new high-tech helicopter that was designed to whisk U.S. President Barack Obama to safety in the event of a nuclear attack had a secret capability — cooking.
Source: Reuters, 20-Aug-09
Source: Wall St Journal, 15-Jun-09
Source: AgustaWestland, 28-Apr-09
Source: Reuters, 03-Mar-09
Source: ZDNet, 02-Mar-09
Source: The Times, 17-Feb-09
