1st Production VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Joins Test Program

(Patuxent River, MD., December 2, 2008) -- The first production VH-71 presidential replacement helicopter has arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River by U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane from helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland. The helicopter, called pilot production one (PP-1), will undergo two months of ground vibration testing before flying to prime contractor Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY, for installation of the mission systems, communications suite, and presidential interior and exterior livery.

"This is a watershed event in the execution of this program," said Jeff Bantle, Lockheed Martin VH-71 vice president and general manager. "It's the fifth VH-71 helicopter to join the program, and a significant milestone because it's the first of five pilot production aircraft to begin testing. These pilot production aircraft will be delivered to the HMX-1 squadron after completion of a comprehensive test program for operational use as "Marine One" helicopters for the President."

"The first production presidential helicopter demonstrates the success of a proven platform transformed into the most capable and safe helicopter for the presidential mission," said Stephen C. Moss, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America. "PP-1's performance was superb during the initial test and evaluation with 11.3 hours of ground runs and 6.6 flight hours, and we look forward to the VH-71 entering service."

Source : Lockheed Martin

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Events related to this news release

• Air Power India [Combat Aircraft; Helicopter] - Feb 4 - 5, 2009, New Delhi,
• Cockpit Avionics Summit [Avionics] - Feb 10 - 12, 2009, Annapolis, MD , USA
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• International Military Helicopter Conference [Lynx; Merlin; Apache; Tiger; Chinook; Sea King] - Apr 29 - 30, 2009, London, UK

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• Aircraft: Industry Cluster Report

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• Corporate Review - Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Financial Analysis - Lockheed Martin Corporation

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