Mon, Jan 12, 2009
Integration Of Helo's Systems Begins At Owego Facility
The first Lockheed Martin pilot production VH-71 presidential
helicopter to begin the integration and final production process
arrived at the company's Owego, NY, facility Friday. Six of nine
helicopters that make up the first phase of the VH-71 presidential
helicopter program are now in the US, including four
test-configured aircraft and two production aircraft.
"The arrival of this production aircraft to the Lockheed Martin
facility here is a great start to the new year, after a very
successful year for the program in 2008," said Jeff Bantle,
Lockheed Martin VH-71 vice president and general manager. "Four
years into the program, six aircraft are in the US undergoing
flight testing or integration, systems integration laboratories are
fully functional and the helicopter is meeting or exceeding all key
performance parameters."
The helicopter, pilot production aircraft number three (PP-3),
will now be integrated with mission systems, outfitted with a cabin
interior, painted in presidential livery and flight tested before
being delivered to the US Navy and ultimately to Marine Helicopter
Squadron One.
Two VH-71 test aircraft are also at the facility, undergoing
mission systems installation. At Naval Air Station Patuxent River,
MD two additional test helicopters are conducting flight testing,
while production aircraft PP-1, which joined the test program
November 24, is conducting ground vibration testing, after which it
will also be flown to Lockheed Martin's Owego facility for
integration and completion.
The VH-71 program is divided into two phases, or increments.
Increment One provides five helicopters on an accelerated schedule
with improved capabilities over the current fleet. Increment Two
will provide a fleet of 23 helicopters that complete the White
House requirements for a command and control platform.
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