First Test Aircraft Built Specifically For Program

Aero-News has learned the VH-71 helicopter made its maiden flight at AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil, UK on July 3, marking a significant milestone in the development of the United States' next Presidential aircraft.

The designated Test Vehicle #2 (TV-2), built under contract to the US Navy, was assembled and prepared at an AgustaWestland facility. It is the first test aircraft built specifically for the VH-71 Presidential Helicopters Program.

During the 40-minute flight, AgustaWestland Chief Test Pilot Don Maclaine and Senior Test Pilot Dick Trueman performed general aircraft handling checks, tested flight characteristics at varying speeds up to 135 knots, and evaluated the on-board avionics systems. Initial Operational Capability of the Presidential helicopter is scheduled for late 2009.

"Seeing our first VH-71 test vehicle flying is an important stepping stone and an exciting event for the entire program, the culmination of a tremendous amount of work by the Government and Industry team," said Doug Isleib, U.S. Navy program manager, Presidential Helicopters Program. "We all should be proud of this accomplishment as we look forward to the day when these helicopters are landing on the South Lawn of the White House."

"The success of the VH-71's first flight, less than 30 months from the contract's start, confirms the quality and dedication we have to designing, building and flying this state-of-the-art helicopter," said Steven C. Moss, president of AgustaWestland North America. "We are on track to fly three more test vehicles by early 2008 and this inaugural flight signifies a tremendous achievement and a step forward to delivering the Presidential aircraft on time."

"Today's first flight of TV-2 is a tremendous achievement," said Jeff Bantle, VH-71 vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. "This marks the formal start of the VH-71 flight test program, and positions the team to deliver production aircraft capable of flying the President in October 2009."

Before TV-2 is delivered to the test facility in Patuxent River, MD this fall for structural testing, the aircraft will complete initial shake-down flying and embark on flight trials to test the integrated avionics systems and aircraft systems.

The new "Marine One" will be a mobile "Oval Office in the sky," ferrying the president and vice president of the United States, heads of state and other official parties both at home and abroad.

The VH-71 industry team will build a fleet of "Marine One" helicopters in two increments. Four test aircraft and five pilot production VH-71 aircraft comprising the Increment 1 phase are to be delivered through 2009. Increment 1 will answer the urgent need for an air system with enhanced performance. Increment 2 will see a significant increase in aircraft performance, and will feature technical enhancements designed to give command and control capability while in flight.

Aircraft final assembly will be by Bell Helicopter in Texas, with mission-specific outfitting by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in NY.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com, www.teamus101.com/333.cfm