Navy Wanted To Move Build To Britain
Having secured the Marine One contract, Bell Helicopter now has
to find a place to build it. Two years ago, Bell announced assembly
of the VH-71 frame would take place in Amarillo, TX.
But plans have changed, said Mike Cox, a Bell spokesman. The
company is now looking at a move to its home base of Fort Worth.
Texas.
Company officials and the Navy both confirmed the change in
plans, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
While the decision will ultimately lie with Bell, the company is
taking the Navy's opinions into account, Cox said.
"If the Navy were to say, 'Absolutely, we don't want that,' then
that's going to be another factor in our decision," he said.
Navy officials had considered moving production to Britain until
members of Congress protested. They've also been openly critical of
the H-1 costs and delivery delays.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. John Schofield said it is still
evaluating costs and requirements of building the next version of
Marine One. A decision will be made after the analyses are
complete, he said. Neither city is currently favored, he added.
Cox said a "very complex set of issues" have to be considered in
deciding where to build the VH-71 and a final decision is expected
this summer.
"It's just kind of a reconsideration of what's going on,
business wise," Cox said. "Of course, we want to make sure we can
deliver the product on a schedule that they (the Navy) want it
delivered on."
Cox declined to tell reporters where exactly the work would go
in Fort Worth and would not confirm or deny the fact production
would create about 150 new jobs as had been reported by the
Amarillo Globe-News.
He also refused to speculate if a new building would be erected,
where it would be or what it would cost, citing security
requirements.
There are several reasons for the company's desire for a change
of venue. The main reason is the company's decision to ramp up the
V-22 Osprey and the Marine's H-1 programs at the Amarillo location
and the number of each type of aircraft to be built.
Bell is slated to build 19 presidential helicopters, a number
significantly less than the number of H-1s and V22s that will be
built.
"You're looking at a relatively small number of aircraft in
comparison to the H-1 and the V-22 programs," Cox said. "The final
decision on where it's going to be built hasn't been made yet."
To date, Fort Worth officials have not talked with Bell or the
Navy about tax incentives or other to lure production of the
presidential helicopter said Jay Chapa, the city's deputy director
of economic development. Amarillo offered $27 million Bell two
years ago for facility construction.