Us101 Wins

[widgeon]

Good news for AW.

Still a bit shocked though.

[Skidz]

Here's th press release:

 

http://www.teamus101.com/index.cfm

 

U.S. Navy Selects US101 for Next Presidential Helicopter

 

On Friday, January 28 at 5 p.m., the U.S. Navy announced it had selected the US101 as the next "Marine One" helicopter for the President of the United States.

 

Lockheed Martin-led Team US101 will build and equip the US101 medium-lift helicopter to provide a safe and secure "Oval Office in the Sky" for the President.

 

A proven product, representing the lowest risk solution to the President, the US101 is a modern military helicopter equipped with triple-redundant systems – including three powerful engines – and the capacity for further capability growth over time.

 

The US101 helicopter program will create and sustain thousands of jobs across the United States.

[Skidz]

It blows my mind that the Marine One sqn has 23 ships ! The Canadian Forces has a grand total of 18 Cormorants to cover SAR needs all accross canada !

[twinstar_ca]

sikorsky has flown the presidents for so many years... i think the last time it was non-sikorsky was when eisenhower flew off the front lawn in a 47J, was it not??

[transquebecniece]

A solemn day at the Sikorsky camp. That was a HUGE contract.

 

http://www.sikorsky.com/details/0,3036,CLI...ETI1947,00.html

[transquebecniece]

The figure I just heard was $57 billion. :shock: Mind boggling.

[Skidz]

Actually it's 1.7 billion. You must have caught a Canadian channel and got it in Canadian dollars...

[transquebecniece]

Are you sure? I just heard it on NPR but maybe I'm going deaf. Lockheed Martin's 25 minutes from my house; it's pretty big news around here. I heard about it at the elementary school, then the gas station and even at dinner from the table behind us.

[jetbox]

I can't believe the Americans picked a European A/C to fly their president. I'd like to know what the contract requirements were that Sikorski couldn't fulfill.

[Skidz]

Here's a couple more links for you:

 

http://www.teamus101.com/news38.cfm

 

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2005/n...50128-2037.html

 

JB, I think it has something to do with payback for Tony Blair. Sort of a banana for being Bush's monk.. Nah, better not start that again...