Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter

[Redstormer]

Source: NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter

The Department of Defense announced that the team led by
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y., has been selected to build the new presidential helicopter (VXX) based on its U.S. 101 medium lift helicopter.

This $1.7 billion_,_ cost plus award fee contract will launch the VXX program’s system development and demonstration phase during which the program will integrate a “system of systems” with a modern, in-production aircraft to provide the president with safe and reliable helicopter transpor-tation.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone that caps an exhaustive and deliberative source selection process that carefully followed the
Federal Acquisition Regulations,” said John Young, assistant secretary of the
Navy for research, development and acquisition. “The determined effort, long hours and hard work by both the VXX government team and the two industry teams will ensure a high level of quality and safety for future presidents, as well as a timely, efficient and effective program execution.”

“This decision truly reflects the best value and capability for the
American taxpayer who is funding it, the Marines who will operate it and the
future presidents who will fly in it,” Young added.

The fleet of helicopters that currently supports the presidential mission includes 30-year old aircraft that were designed in the 1960’s, fielded
in the 1970’s and no longer has the growth capability to incorporate the equipment necessary to provide suitable presidential support in the post 9-11 environment.

“Under this replacement program, with its technology and performance
improvements, a single platform will provide better savings in total ownership
costs, engineering, maintenance and logistical support over the lifetime of the
program,” Young said. “The president needs a more survivable helicopter while the nation engages in the Global War on Terrorism, and we are committed to providing it as soon as possible.”

The original Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program of record
proposed an initial operating capability in 2013. The VXX program was
acceleratedin 2003 with a currently planned IOC in fiscal year 2009.

[SUBS17]

Man what a waste of money, maybe they should get him an Av8B with an RAF pilot. Would be way cheaper.

cheers
Subs

[Redstormer]

Other news, there 'll be a possibility that there is going to be a bomber version of the Raptor. That should be the FB-22!

Read more:
http://www.afa.org/magazine/Jan2005/0105raptor.asp

[jhook]

Other news, there 'll be a possibility that there is going to be a bomber version of the Raptor. That should be the FB-22!

Read more:
http://www.afa.org/magazine/Jan2005/0105raptor.asp

Actually, I am in favor of a much newer and better design. I was kidding about another thread in which I was discussing the possibility of being able to fly the Switchblade. I believe that the Switchblade is a far better capable fast attack aircraft than the BF-22 as they would have to re-construct the fuselage for the wing and strengthen the wing spars to carry the ordnance.
The Switchblade would not need to carry the ordnance externally. It could carry roughly 24,000lbs. inside it's weapon bays. I know 24,000lbs is not a hole lot, but is exceptional when you can fly at MACH 3+! Plus the advantage of stealth, and acceptional manuverability! From what I've heard, the Switchblade is a rather large aircraft (about the size of the F-111) and would be designed for this type of mission. The F-22 can carry a small amount of ground ordnance already. The JSF will also be able to carry a small amount of ordnance as well. But these would be light attack roles. A medium attack aircraft is what the USAF realy needs. Something fast and furious! :ylsuper:

[Slacker]

Man what a waste of money, maybe they should get him an Av8B with an RAF pilot. Would be way cheaper.

cheers
Subs

Where the hell would they put the dogs, oh.. and the wife?

[SUBS17]

Make that an AV8B for the dogs and the missus, all with RAF pilots of course:alcohol: Even then they'd still save millons of dollars.

cheers
Subs

[SUBS17]

Actually, I am in favor of a much newer and better design. I was kidding about another thread in which I was discussing the possibility of being able to fly the Switchblade. I believe that the Switchblade is a far better capable fast attack aircraft than the BF-22 as they would have to re-construct the fuselage for the wing and strengthen the wing spars to carry the ordnance.
The Switchblade would not need to carry the ordnance externally. It could carry roughly 24,000lbs. inside it's weapon bays. I know 24,000lbs is not a hole lot, but is exceptional when you can fly at MACH 3+! Plus the advantage of stealth, and acceptional manuverability! From what I've heard, the Switchblade is a rather large aircraft (about the size of the F-111) and would be designed for this type of mission. The F-22 can carry a small amount of ground ordnance already. The JSF will also be able to carry a small amount of ordnance as well. But these would be light attack roles. A medium attack aircraft is what the USAF realy needs. Something fast and furious! :ylsuper:

I can imagine a stealth F111 sized bomber would be pretty awesome, but MACH 3+. Don't know if that sort of speed would be a good idea. Maybe its an SR71 with JDAMs.

[DEChengst]

I know 24,000lbs is not a whole lot, but is exceptional when you can fly at MACH 3+! Plus the advantage of stealth, and acceptional manuverability!

Won't a Mach 3+ speed heat the aircraft's skin up so much it will be clearly visible to an IR sensor scanning the sky ?

[jhook]

Won't a Mach 3+ speed heat the aircraft's skin up so much it will be clearly visible to an IR sensor scanning the sky ?

You would think. But technology has improved greatly over even the last decade. Speed is "stealth" in a class all it's own. At MACH 3+, SAM's and AA missles would have a very difficult time catching this kind of prey. As for the heat sig, again, technology has improved greatly to even when the space shuttle was designed. Dealing with heat past MACH 2 is of major concern when flying older aircraft. Technology and composites improve as time goes on. I'm not saying this aircraft will ever be produced. I am saying that I like the idea.

[SUBS17]

By the time the sensor detects your aircraft you would already be 50km past him. Thats how fast Mach 3 is, it would take a data linked S300 to knock out a Mach 3 bomber.

[jhook]

By the time the sensor detects your aircraft you would already be 50km past him. Thats how fast Mach 3 is, it would take a data linked S300 to knock out a Mach 3 bomber.


That's the idea SUBS! Oh, and by the way, the listing on the aircraft is MACH 3+!!!, which means it's true speed is a mystery! :wink2: Even an S300 may not catch this baby! :wink2:

[SUBS17]

I wonder if China or someone will develop an A-12 style intercepter to deal with that, its gotta be something like a Foxbat.

cheers
Subs

[Warchild_82]

Jhook, have you got a link to any photos or artist impressions of this switchblade. All i can find on the net is pics of the existing F-111 (switchblade).

[jhook]

Jhook, have you got a link to any photos or artist impressions of this switchblade. All i can find on the net is pics of the existing F-111 (switchblade).

Sorry for the late responce. I saw it in a "Janes weekly" article. I will see if any other info is available on the web.