EADS "Welcomes" Boeing's "Embrace" Of International Military Technology

Boeing said Monday it plans to dive into the competition to build a new Presidential helicopter, and that it plans to do so by securing a license from AgustaWestland for U.S. production of the AW101 medium-lift helicopter. The aircraft will be the platform for Boeing's entry into the U.S. Navy VXX Presidential Helicopter program.

This license will give Boeing full intellectual property, data and production rights for the aircraft in support of the VXX program. Because of this arrangement, the aircraft will be a Boeing aircraft, built by Boeing personnel at one of its U.S. facilities. The company will submit information regarding this aircraft in response to the Navy's current Request for Information by the June 18 deadline.

In announcing the agreement, Phil Dunford, vice president and general manager for Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, said, "As a leading original equipment manufacturer in the military helicopter market and with our nearly 50 years of experience in presidential transport, we believe we are uniquely positioned to make the most of the Navy's significant investment in this aircraft."

The AW101 is a three-engine, medium-lift helicopter with combat-proven performance, serving with distinction in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 150 aircraft are in service with five NATO militaries and Japan, and the aircraft was selected for the previous presidential helicopter program in which nine aircraft were delivered to the prime contractor by AgustaWestland.

Italian Navy AW101 File Photo

If the Boeing 101 helicopter is selected for VXX, Boeing will be the prime contractor and will design, build and deliver the aircraft. A team of subcontractors, including AgustaWestland, would work with Boeing to deliver this capability to the Navy.

"Boeing has a long and extremely successful relationship with AgustaWestland, which has manufactured both the AH-64 Apache in the United Kingdom and the CH-47 in Italy under license from Boeing. We are thrilled to have a trusted participant on our team with valuable insights into the aircraft and the program," said Dave Palm, director of Business Development and Strategy for Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

In a statement, Airbus parent EADS said it welcomed Boeing's "embrace of international military technologies and platforms in its pursuit of the VXX Presidential Helicopter contract."

"We're pleased that Boeing has openly acknowledged the contribution that international teams, products and platforms make to U.S. national security," EADS said in a statement shortly after the announcement. "For several years, Boeing and its allies have been harshly critical of the participation of EADS North America in the KC-X tanker competition. With this announcement, we now expect Boeing to cease its shrill rhetoric and finally allow the KC-X competition to focus on the merits of the tanker offerings."

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.eads.com, www.agustawestland.com