• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Team US101 Helicopter Completes Navy Evaluation for Presidential Transport

Owego, NY, February 18th, 2004 -- U.S. Navy and Marine Corps test pilots have completed a three-week Naval Preliminary Evaluation (NPE) of the EH101 medium-lift helicopter -- a variant of the US101 aircraft competing to become the next rotary wing platform to fly the president of the United States.

Conducted January 12-28, 2004 at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD, the NPE trials familiarized evaluators with the EH101 aircraft's flight handling and performance characteristics. Evaluation was completed two days ahead of schedule following rigorous flight testing. There were no maintenance issues and no lost sorties during the evaluation period.

Britain's Royal Air Force operates the EH101 Merlin Mk 3 aircraft that was used for the NPE trials. Last summer, the same aircraft flew transport, surveillance and load lift missions in Bosnia to support United Nations security forces. Four countries currently operate 92 EH101 aircraft in a variety of mission roles.

On Feb. 2, just days after NPE evaluators concluded their trials, the EH101 aircraft again landed at NAVAIR's Patuxent River facility -- this time carrying the Team US101 proposal for a Marine One helicopter system. The 5,000-page proposal details the team's technical solution for the executive mission, the platform's record of dependable performance worldwide, the experience of the U.S.-led team, and the system cost.

Lockheed Martin leads Team US101 as prime contractor and systems integrator to build the US101 aircraft in America with principal subcontractor AgustaWestlandBell and suppliers including GE Aircraft Engines, and Palomar Products for the secure communications capability.

"The EH101 aircraft performed flawlessly during the evaluation," said Stephen D. Ramsey, Lockheed Martin's US101 vice president and general manager. "In addition, we demonstrated the aircraft's 'one engine inoperative' capability that allows the aircraft to continue flying and to land safely in a secure location. Our team looks forward to delivering an American-built helicopter system based on this proven three-engine design."

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.TeamUS101.com

Mike Drake, US101 Communications 607-751-3200 or cell 607-761-3711, e-mail mike.drake@lmco.com