Team US101 Delivers Marine One Helicopter Proposal To Navy

If we were only so lucky. A combat proven EH101 helicopter landed last week at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River (MD) bearing Lockheed Martin's proposal to provide the president of the United States with a new Marine One helicopter fleet.

The 5,000-page proposal describes the US101 team's technical solution for a Marine One helicopter. The document also details the platform's record of dependable performance in some of the harshest conditions imaginable; the experience of the U.S.-led international team; and cost. NAVAIR issued the request for proposals on December 18, 2003.

The aircraft delivering the proposal is one of two Royal Air Force helicopters that served in Bosnia last year in support of the United Nations security force. Four countries currently operate 92 aircraft in a variety of mission roles. The US101 medium-lift platform offered by the US101 team will be an American-built variant of that proven platform.

"We believe the president of the United States deserves the best capability in the world to fulfill the full duties of the office aboard Marine One," said Stephen D. Ramsey, Lockheed Martin's US101 vice president and general manager. "Our proposal details a high-performance helicopter system that has already demonstrated its ability to provide safe, secure, efficient and cost-effective transport for the office of the president well into the 21st century."

An introductory letter in the proposal from Lockheed Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vance D. Coffman emphasizes Lockheed Martin Corporation's commitment to the Marine One helicopter program. Lockheed Martin's Systems Integration -- Owego business, the corporation's helicopter center of excellence, leads the US101 team as prime contractor and systems integrator.

Principal subcontractors AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter Textron are collaborating to manufacture the aircraft in Texas. The American-built US101 will source at least 65 percent content from suppliers across 41 states. The manufacturer claims a key advantage of the US101 helicopter is that the spacious cabin is one-third larger than its competitor. The additional space will provide the president with a true "office in the sky" that will ensure the president and staff can carry out their full duties while onboard.

FMI: www.teamus101.com