Presidenthelikopteret - Runde 2

Ding, Ding: Seconds Out for Round Two of U.S. Air Force ‘Marine One’ and CRH (CSAR-X)

Foto: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland and Northrop Grumman announced on Tuesday that they will team up “to respond to anticipated requests for both the new U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) and the Navy’s recently announced program to develop a new “Marine One” Presidential Helicopter.” A statement noted that the aircraft will be U.S.-built and based on the AW101 Merlin, with Northrop Grumman placing the bid. Previously AgustaWestland teamed with Lockheed Martin offering the U.S. Navy the VH-71 Kestrel. However cost overruns saw the price escalate to over $13 billion for 28 helicopters and in June 2009, President Obama took the opportunity for a “quick political win” in terms of cutting the heavily criticized program and the U.S. Navy cancelled the contract.

It is already intended that in summer 2013 the Presidential fleet will include 14 MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors serving with Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 (HMX-1) at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Va., for use in the support role. They will replace the CH-46Es.