The US Navy has just
selected the US101 for a new fleet of "Marine One" helicopters for
the President of the United States. Lockheed Martin, which leads
Team US101 as prime contractor, will receive a $1.7 billion
contract from the Navy for the Marine One program's systems
development and demonstration phase. The team will build and equip
the US101 medium-lift helicopter to provide a safe and secure "Oval
Office in the Sky" for the President.
"We are honored that trust has been placed in Lockheed Martin
and Team US101 for this vital and highly visible mission," said
Robert J. Stevens, president and chief executive officer of
Lockheed Martin Corporation. "All members of Team US101, as well as
the executive leadership of the team's parent corporations, are
committed to meeting the demanding requirements of the U.S.
government as we provide the world's best helicopter system to
serve our nation's President."
Team US101 will immediately begin work on the program, building
on the staff and facilities already in place to support Navy-funded
risk reduction activities under way since March 2004. Near-term
activities involve the establishment of a secure presidential
helicopter facility, including a new integration center and
hangars, at an existing Lockheed Martin site in Owego, NY, and
construction of helicopter assembly facilities at Amarillo, TX.
Staff recruiting also is under way.
"We are proud to contribute our proven helicopter, backed by
significant operational experience, to serve as the basis for the
American President's new Marine One fleet," said Pier Francesco
Guarguaglini, chairman and chief executive officer of Finmeccanica,
AgustaWestland's parent corporation. "We are confident that the
US101 will provide the best capability for the President, and we
are delighted that the U.S. government has chosen to entrust Team
US101 with this important responsibility."
More than 200 suppliers in 41 states support Team US101, led by
Lockheed Martin with teammates Agusta Westland and Bell Helicopter
Textron. Suppliers include some of America's leading aerospace
companies, such as General Electric, ITT, Northrop Grumman, Kaman
Aerospace and Palomar Products.
Based on the current contract schedule, the first US101 ready to
transport the President is expected to be available in 2009, with
the entire fleet of 23 US101 delivered to the Marine One squadron
by late 2014.
Team US101 is led by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego,
which serves as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the
American-built US101 aircraft, an American variant of
AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multimission helicopter. The
US101 team collectively brings unmatched rotorcraft expertise and
experience to this program: Lockheed Martin (prime contractor and
systems integration), AgustaWestland (aircraft design) and Bell
Helicopter (aircraft production), while General Electric will
supply each helicopter with three, 2,500 shaft-horsepower CT7-8E
engines.