The US101 gets my vote every time. A better looking safer flying aircraft all round. Dubya should be proud to fly in such a machine!!!:ok:

The word this side of the pond suggests that the S-92 has won the bid? Anybody care to confirm this rumour?

If so then well done to Igor and his team - George Dubbya can't be worng can he?

Talk about closed helicopter markets and monopolies, here is Agusta-Westland's appeal to the law suit filed in EU courts against Italy for their failure to compete the helicopter programs of the recent past. Recall that Finnmechannica is owned 32% by the Italian government, so this should be no surprize:

“The appeal is based on the fact that the Italian Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza [financial police], which are among the services to which helicopters will be supplied, are officially military entities and as such open competition is not required,” said the company source. “Additionally, after Sept. 11, the Italian government decided all such equipment for homeland security organizations would be considered as military and therefore subject to the same conditions.”
The Interior Ministry then issued its July 2003 decree reaffirming the legitimacy of sole-source sales for all the services involved. It is this decree — which also covers contracts for the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza — which has now been challenged by the Rome court.
“The Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza may have military roles, but undertake civil roles using civil helicopters, and we have contested the sole-source buying of helicopters which are not exclusively for military use,” said lawyer Mazzeo. “Documents used in court by the Italian state suggest the ruling affects a total possible buy of 250 helicopters for over 1 billion euros in the long run.”
(AgustaWestland Duels To Keep Italy’s Helicopter Orders - Defense News, Jan. 3, 2004)

Now, what was that about fair competition regarding the US Presidential helicopters?

VXX Contract award
 

For those that are very interested the long awaited result of this fiercley fought competition can be seen live on www.pentagonchannel.com at 10p.m. GMT.

And may the best aircraft win:ok: (As long as it is european in origin - not russian:= )

Since when did the USA become a part of Europe??

Flyer43...

Whenever there is a need to defend it against aggressors.

Very droll......!

Just watched on the evening news that the EH101 was selected over the S92.

It's US-101!
 

I'm surprised!

Well congrats to the winner , bit of a shock .

Yup The DoD Briefing says it's the US 101!:oh:

Well with VXX and Comanche gone.........
 

Excuse my sarchasm

I've deleted the rest of your offensive post.
Next time you pretend to be clever, learn to spell sarcasm. Your attempt might be slightly (but only slightly) more convincing.

Heliport

"Lockheed Team Wins Presidential Chopper
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a surprise move, the U.S. Navy has chosen a trans-Atlantic team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to build a new U.S. presidential helicopter fleet, a congressional source familiar with the decision said on Friday.

The decision was a stunning setback for Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp.'s (UTX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Sikorsky Aircraft unit -- which for nearly 50 years has built and maintained the green and white "Marine One" helicopters that fly the president."

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/...0128-2037.html
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131 Public contact:
http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html
or +1 (703) 428-0711
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_ No. 094-05
IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 28, 2005
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lockheed Martin to Build New Presidential Helicopter
___________ The Department of Defense announced today 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 transportation.
_
___________ “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 accelerated in 2003 with a currently planned IOC in fiscal year 2009.__
_
___________ For more information, please contact Navy Public Affairs at (703) 697-5342.


------------------------------------------------------------------------

fuselage and blades in Yeovil Mgb in Italy , good job it has 3 donks otherwise the 66% Us content would be a problem. Interesting 3rd engine was not a factor.

Gobsmacked, simply gobsmacked.

Looks like the Yanks have been sold a pup just as we were with SH variant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our condolences, hope the special relationship survives when they realise.:oh:

Well done Team US101 :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

At last, common sense!!!!
 

Just seen the news, best helicopter won without a doubt!

The US101 is the best helicopter in its class and provides the best value for money.

Igor and his boys seem very quiet, perhaps they should of concentrated on the S-92's merits instead of rubbishing the competition!

Good to see Geroge B climbing into a Merlin on the White House lawn......:ok:

Well done 101, finally some good news for Merlin

Best aircraft for the job!
 

As I sit here waiting for the slagging off to begin I must say that the DoD's decision just goes to prove that the Merlin helicopter is the best in its class.

Any negative posts from now on will just be sour grapes!

Well done AW now sort our Merlins out please!

:ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

It appears that our White elephant is good enough for dubya ....:ok: