VXX
Encyclopedia
VXX is a procurement program to replace aging Marine One
helicopters that transport the President of the United States
. The current VH-3 helicopters have aging airframes, having entered service with U.S. Marine Corps
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1
) in 1963. The VH-3D replaced the VH-3A by 1976. The smaller VH-60N was ordered beginning in 1989.
In 2002, it was proposed to replace the current helicopters. The U.S. Department of Defense
issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on 18 December 2003 for the supply of 23 helicopters to replace the 11 VH-3Ds and 8 VH-60Ns of USMC HMX-1 squadron. This requirement was given the designation VXX (V being the prefix for VIP aircraft and XX representing the then unspecified numerical part of the designation).
Both AgustaWestland and Sikorsky
responded to the RFP. Sikorsky proposed the VH-92, a variant of the H-92 Superhawk
. On 28 January 2005 the Department of Defense announced that it had selected the US101 for the VXX program. The US101 team was awarded a US$1.7 billion contract for the VXX system development and demonstration (SDD) phase. The Lockheed Martin
and AgustaWestland
AW101-based US101 bid was given the military designation VH-71 Kestrel in mid-2005.
The replacement cost of the fleet was estimated at $6.1 billion when the VH-71 contracts were signed in 2005. However, by March 2008 the cost of the new 28 helicopter fleet was projected to total $11.2 billion, or roughly $400 million per helicopter. Political controversy began in February 2009 amid calls for fiscal restraint, and, as a result, President Barack Obama
announced that he had instructed Defense Secretary Robert Gates
to review the helicopter situation. On April 6, 2009, Gates announced the ending of VH-71 funding.
In February 2010, the Navy issued a request for information to the aviation industry. Responses will be used to restart the VXX contest. In April 2010, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announced they would team in offering the VH-92
. In June, Boeing announced it is considering a US-built licensed version of the AgustaWestland AW101, which the VH-71 was based. Boeing is also considering the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Boeing CH-47 Chinook for the presidential VXX program. Whichever platform is picked will be expected to be delivered between 2017 and 2023.
Marine One
Marine One is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the President of the United States. It usually denotes a helicopter operated by the HMX-1 "Nighthawks" squadron, either the large VH-3D Sea King or the newer, smaller VH-60N "WhiteHawk", both due to be replaced by the...
helicopters that transport the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The current VH-3 helicopters have aging airframes, having entered service with U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1
HMX-1
Marine Helicopter Squadron One , is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron responsible for the transportation of the President of the United States, Vice President, Cabinet members and other VIPs...
) in 1963. The VH-3D replaced the VH-3A by 1976. The smaller VH-60N was ordered beginning in 1989.
In 2002, it was proposed to replace the current helicopters. The U.S. Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on 18 December 2003 for the supply of 23 helicopters to replace the 11 VH-3Ds and 8 VH-60Ns of USMC HMX-1 squadron. This requirement was given the designation VXX (V being the prefix for VIP aircraft and XX representing the then unspecified numerical part of the designation).
Both AgustaWestland and Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
responded to the RFP. Sikorsky proposed the VH-92, a variant of the H-92 Superhawk
Sikorsky S-92
The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
. On 28 January 2005 the Department of Defense announced that it had selected the US101 for the VXX program. The US101 team was awarded a US$1.7 billion contract for the VXX system development and demonstration (SDD) phase. The Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
and AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter design and manufacturing company. It was formed in July 2000 when Finmeccanica S.p.A. and GKN plc agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries to form AgustaWestland with Finmeccanica and GKN each holding a 50% share.AgustaWestland is now a...
AW101-based US101 bid was given the military designation VH-71 Kestrel in mid-2005.
The replacement cost of the fleet was estimated at $6.1 billion when the VH-71 contracts were signed in 2005. However, by March 2008 the cost of the new 28 helicopter fleet was projected to total $11.2 billion, or roughly $400 million per helicopter. Political controversy began in February 2009 amid calls for fiscal restraint, and, as a result, President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
announced that he had instructed Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Robert Gates
Dr. Robert Michael Gates is a retired civil servant and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W....
to review the helicopter situation. On April 6, 2009, Gates announced the ending of VH-71 funding.
In February 2010, the Navy issued a request for information to the aviation industry. Responses will be used to restart the VXX contest. In April 2010, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announced they would team in offering the VH-92
Sikorsky S-92
The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
. In June, Boeing announced it is considering a US-built licensed version of the AgustaWestland AW101, which the VH-71 was based. Boeing is also considering the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Boeing CH-47 Chinook for the presidential VXX program. Whichever platform is picked will be expected to be delivered between 2017 and 2023.
See also
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...