A Dust-Up Over Who'll Build the Next Presidential Chopper
Lockheed, Sikorsky wage a 'fierce' campaign for the next generation of Marine One aircraft
October 31, 2004
It lacks the majesty of Air Force One, the Boeing 747 used by the president to travel the world in style and security. In fact, most Americans probably think of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, as a White House taxi — squatting on the South Lawn, waiting to take the president and his dog on a short hop to Camp David.
But in the aircraft industry, this particular helicopter is a superstar. That's why two corporate defense titans now are vying for the right to build the next generation of Marine Ones.
At stake is a $2-billion contract for up to 23 customized helicopters, as well as bragging rights and a possible springboard to even more lucrative military and civilian markets.
The Navy has promised to decide by mid-December between the bids from Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed Martin Corp., which has its world headquarters in Bethesda, Md., and much of its aviation operation in New York.
The competition "is starting to resemble the presidential race," said aviation industry analyst Richard Aboulafia. "Determined, fierce, even vicious."
Sikorsky, a pioneer in rotary-winged aircraft development, has provided helicopters for every president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Lockheed has its own chopper credentials.
The current presidential helicopter from Sikorsky, a VH-3D Sea King, is a medium-lift, all-weather, single-rotor craft with a cruising speed of about 160 mph and range of 690 miles. In an average year, the fleet takes the president on about 150 flights.
Although the Pentagon had planned to seek bids on a new design before Sept. 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks highlighted the need for a helicopter that would allow the president to function as commander in chief at all times.
Most of the bid requirements for the communications gear, weapons systems and safety features are classified. So even in their zeal to tout their designs, Sikorsky and Lockheed executives must be careful in explaining what new capabilities or safety features they will provide for the president and other top-level government executives who use Marine One.
Both sides have implied that their helicopter would give the president the same unrestricted ability to direct troops and speak to allies and enemies that he has on Air Force One.
"What we will provide is an Oval Office in the sky," Lockheed spokesman Mike Drake said. The company's design — similar to Lockheed's Merlin helicopter, which is used by the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force — has proven its sturdiness in Iraq and Bosnia, Drake said, adding: "This is a battle-proven military helicopter for the commander in chief."
Sikorsky says that the Texas firm that provides the communications system for Air Force One is working with the company on its design and that Lockheed is merely recycling an old copter.
"What would you rather have — an SUV that's 20 years old, or an SUV with air bags and antilock brakes?" said Nick Lappos, program chief for Sikorsky.
Pentagon rules also require that companies and individuals involved in making things for the president's use have an extremely high security clearance. In fact, one military official said that having a "Yankee White" clearance means you've been investigated so thoroughly, "you could have lunch with the president while carrying your 9-millimeter Beretta."
So in the Marine One competition, both sides have asserted their more-American-than-thou credentials. Sikorsky calls its project the All-American VH-92. Lockheed calls its design the US101, a riff on the designation of its Merlin, which is known as EH101.
For Lockheed, getting this security clearance is more of a problem since it has teamed up with its Merlin partner, the English-Italian company AgustaWestland. About a third of its US101 parts and components will be from foreign suppliers, a point Sikorsky has pointed out repeatedly.
In a global economy, having an aircraft — with all its thousands of components and parts — built solely in one country is difficult, if not impossible. For its other helicopters, Sikorsky also uses parts made abroad, although not to the degree Lockheed does.
"You can't really have an All-American helicopter when you're partners with the People's Republic of China," Drake said.
Sikorsky spokesman Ed Steadham said: "There will not be a Chinese supplier for presidential aircraft."
Both sides have played some politics in their bids to win the Marine One contract.
Lawmakers friendly to Sikorsky have spoken on its behalf. A Connecticut congressman called for an investigation into whether Lockheed could meet the Yankee White standard for its subcontractors and suppliers.
But other politicians, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y), have sided with Lockheed. Last year, British Prime Minister Tony Blair contacted the White House to speak favorably of AgustaWestland; last week a British defense department official made the rounds of official Washington to talk up the company and the Merlin.
Although the bidding competition is meant to be "hermetically sealed" from politics, analysts said, nothing in Washington can remain that aloof.
"It could boil down to a Democratic state [Sikorsky] vs. an Iraq war ally [AgustaWestland]," Aboulafia said.
Sikorsky recently took its prototype on tour, including a stop in Washington to give journalists and politicians a ride. The VH-92 is similar to Sikorsky's corporate helicopter — used by, among others, director Steven Spielberg.
Not to be outdone, Lockheed officials signaled the media when one of its Merlins appeared recently in San Diego at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station air show.
Along with moving troops and supplies, the Merlin is the British military's helicopter of choice for transporting leading politicians and members of royalty. Queen Elizabeth II has flown in a Merlin, Lockheed said.
"Our role is moving everything from toilet seats to prime ministers," Wing Cmdr. Andy Turner said. "Your president should be very comfortable."