New Marine One Axed

By: Mark Huber

May 1, 2009
Aircraft, Aircraft

he Obama Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 defense budget ends funding for the controversial Presidential helicopter replacement program, the cost of which had ballooned to $13 billion for 28 VH-71 Kestrels. The VH-71 was based on a highly modified version of the three-engine AgustaWestland EH101, with Lockheed Martin serving as the prime contractor and system integrator and Bell as a maintenance subcontractor.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged that the current fleet of 30-year-old Sikorsky VH-3s that fly the President and other VIPs must be replaced, and he promised that the Pentagon would develop options for the FY11 budget.

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New Marine One Axed

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