From Aviation International News today. Life in the old dog yet? Perhaps? Maybe?
VH-71 Helicopter for the President Not Dead Yet
Alhough the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee yesterday did not add funding in the Senate defense appropriations bill to extend the VH-71 presidential helicopter program, the House of Representatives in July approved $400 million in its companion bill (H.R. 3326) to continue work on the program, with the objective of making the five “pilot production” VH-71As into operational helicopters for the President. The Senate bill still needs approval of the full Senate and then the two versions of the bill will be reconciled in conference committee before going to the President. If funding to continue the program is included in the final version of the bill, Congress would be openly challenging President Barack Obama, who has said publicly he would veto any defense bill that includes funding for the new Marine One helicopter. But wording about the VH-71 in a July 30 White House statement leaves open the possibility that the President could decide not to veto such a bill. The U.S. Navy awarded the VH-71 contract in 2005 to the team lead by Lockheed Martin System Integration, which based its bid on the AgustaWestland AW101. The DOD terminated work on the program, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, on May 15.