Team US101 Selects Kaman Aerospace For Presidential Helo

The US101 team led by Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestlandBell announced during the HAI EXpo 2004 that Kaman Aerospace Corp. has been selected to supply structures and engineering work for the US101 medium-lift executive aircraft being offered in a competition for the next presidential Marine One helicopter. Kaman is a contractor on major civil and military aviation programs, including the C-17 military transport and the SH-2G Super Seasprite naval helicopter.

Under arrangements agreed upon Tuesday, AgustaWestland will place metallic and composite structural manufacturing work into Kaman's Jacksonville (FL), and Wichita (KS) facilities. The agreement also provides for Kaman to contribute engineering resources to the US101 program from its Connecticut facilities. Kaman claims the multi-million dollar deal could create employment opportunities across its aerospace businesses in Connecticut, Kansas and Florida.

The three-engine US101 has been in action for nearly 50,000 hours of flight time logged in missions around the world, including in Bosnia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, 94 US101s are in service in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan with orders in place for 52 more helicopters. The Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestlandBell team will be pursuing additional opportunities for the US101, including upcoming competitions to provide more than 200 new aircraft for a variety of missions for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard.

The presidential program requires 23 helicopters. A contract award is expected in May 2004.

"Kaman is just the latest addition to Team US101, a partnership of more than 200 small and medium sized American companies in 41 states that are creating thousands of long-term jobs to build the most capable and best-equipped helicopter for the president at a time of increased threat," said Stephen C. Moss, AgustaWestland's US101 president.

FMI: www.teamus101.com