Says R66 Will Scale Up To Provide Presidential Transport

ANN April 1 Special Edition

Robinson Helicopter has made a late entry into the competition to provide the next Marine One helicopter based on its R66 platform.

Company president and CEO Kurt Robinson tells ANN that the VIP Transport helo prototype has been designated R6600, and has been under construction at the company’s Torrance, CA manufacturing facility.

“The R6600 will have all of the necessary upgrades to make it an effective VIP transport,” he said. We’re working on reinforcing the fuselage and are talking with engine manufacturers about a more powerful mill to lift the extra weight. But really, there are only one or two people traveling with the President in the helo, so how much room do you really need. It won’t be as graceful to get into, but he or she can save the dramatic wave for Air Force One.”

Robinson said that the smaller R6600 would be far more fuel efficient than a bigger helo like the Sikorsky, which adds a level of safety. It’s also a less complex aircraft to fly, and training would take far less time. A smaller aircraft also makes for a smaller target and can be landed in a much smaller LZ than the big transports. “All in all, there are a lot of metrics which suggest that in this case, smaller is better,” he said. “People keep clamoring for smaller government, and we can bring in an aircraft with all the capabilities needed by the Marines at a fraction of the cost. This is definitely a win for the taxpayer.”

The prototype R6600 is expected to make its first flight later this year. “We know we’re a latecomer to this game, but that’s just giving us the push we need to get this bird flying sooner rather than later,” Robinson said.

(Images from file)

FMI: www.r6600marineone.com