Two Aircraft Companies Jointly Compete For Presidential Helicopter Program

Two Aircraft Companies Jointly Compete For Presidential Helicopter Program <

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Two Aircraft Companies Jointly Compete For Presidential Helicopter Program By Steve Hall

		April 20, 2010 - Sikorsky Aircraft announced the signing of a teaming agreement to compete jointly for the U.S. Navy’s revived VXX Presidential Helicopter program. The agreement formally positions global helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky as the prime contractor offering its H-92TM medium-lift helicopter for the presidential transport mission with Lockheed Martin, a leading rotary wing systems integrator, as the major subsystems supplier. Additionally, the two companies jointly submitted a response on Monday to the U.S. Navy’s VXX request for information. The document details how a Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin team would design and manufacture the H-92 helicopter with integrated systems for the “Marine One” mission.

“We’re thrilled to team with Lockheed Martin to provide taxpayers and the U.S. government with a common sense solution for the next presidential aircraft both in terms of economy and technology,” said Scott Starrett, president of Sikorsky Military Systems. “For nearly four decades, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin have teamed successfully to produce Naval Hawk™ helicopters, so we have a proven and formidable track record as a team.” “Our VXX teaming agreement builds on an existing and highly successful 38 year relationship between Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky,” said Dan Spoor, Aviation Systems vice president at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors in Owego, N.Y. “Formally combining Sikorsky’s success building and supporting the Marine One fleet with our understanding of the systems integration requirements will allow our team to offer a low-risk transport solution to the Office of the President.” Both companies have unique experience supporting presidential helicopters. Sikorsky designed-and-built VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft designated “Marine One” when the president is on board have provided safe, reliable transport for the Office of the President since the 1960s. In 2005, Lockheed Martin won the contract to build the replacement fleet. The contract was terminated in 2009 at the convenience of the government after the program delivered nine test and pilot production aircraft.

‎In addition to the VXX teaming agreement, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin also have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore business opportunities involving other Sikorsky programs. The companies have extensive experience working together during four decades developing, delivering and supporting 400 operational SH-60B and MH-60R/S maritime helicopters to the U.S. Navy.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

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