Mon, Jun 01, 2009
That's Pretty Much It... BuhBye!
The Navy has announced that it will terminate the VH-71 System
Development and Demonstration (SDD) program contract. The
announcement follows a Department of Defense (DoD) decision to
cancel the existing presidential helicopter replacement program.
The VH-71 was intended to replace both the VH-3D and VH-60N
aircraft currently used to conduct presidential support
missions.
Navy contract N00019-05-C-0030 and associated work with Lockheed
Martin Systems Integration - Owego (LMSI-O), Owego, N.Y., awarded
Jan. 28, 2005, for the SDD of the VH-71 program, has been
terminated for the convenience of the government.
The under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and
logistics issued a VH-71 program acquisition decision memorandum on
May 15, 2009, which directed the program be cancelled, to include
both Increment 1 and Increment 2.
Just a few days ago, Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa
pleaded for the Pentagon continue to go ahead with the VH-71
program. The VH-71 is based on the AW101 helicopter built by
Italian firm AgustaWestland in Italy and the United Kingdom. In the
letter to Gates, La Russa "expressed his concerns over the ongoing
debate about the presidential helicopter, offered the assistance of
the Italian government, and called for close cooperation by the
manufacturer in order to find the most opportune way to
successfully realize the program."
"The cancellation of the VH-71 program would negatively impact
jobs and the industrial base in Italy and the U.K. It is
fundamental for all allied countries to maintain a strong,
autonomous defense industrial capability, and this program is a key
element in the pursuit of that strategy."
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]