Derek Howe
Good. Other countries presidents use this helo as well, it's a great helo with plenty of hours under its belt. It was pretty obvious that Sikorsky was going to get this contract eventually. Since the current crop of Marine One helo's used at D.C. are very old, and require a lot of maintenance to keep them flying reliably.
Anne Ominous
Huh?
21 aircraft custom-built for the President?
Since when did he start to think he was a King? I do think we should treat our Presidents well, but this is pretty extreme.
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is nice they chose Sikorsky since it is made in the USA. It looks like a really nice design. Even though it is good to replace the aging ones with new ones, 21 new helicopters for the president does seem extreme. If they were also used by the other branches of the federal government, it would make more sense.
I read that they were checking out tilt rotor helicopters for use as a means to transport the president. They spent a lot of money on those only to have them not be used to transport the president for 'safety reasons'. I find that a shame since the tilt rotor helicopters are even cooler than the one they chose.
James Donohue
21 seems like a large number. It only takes 6 to make a squadron. Currently , the Marine One Helicopter is a Sikorsky VH-3, and I thought they were going to be replaced by the VH-101, which has three engines.
MG48
Like everyone else, 21 does seem a bit much. If the Pope can downsize then why cant the President? I can see a few as decoys, some having maintenance done and a couple specialty ones but that would put you at around 12 max. I thought this president was all about global warming and the effects humans have on it and we need to be more "green". I would really like to know why so many. These are incredible machines and would like to see more about them.
olwrench
Billion ? Ike's parting words were "beware the military/industrial complex ." This is why our Nat'l debt is so high.
Daishi
The old price of $13 billion for 28 helicopters is off the charts expensive. Israel only has $14.6 billion a year in total military spending. Iran is $6 billion.
Gregg Eshelman
I remember when the gov awarded the Marine One contract to a French company.
That didn't go over well with the public or American helicopter companies! The deal was quickly ended.
Looks like the wrangling over which American company got the deal went on for some years after.
Robert in Vancouver
Prime Minister of Australia recently flew to Paris for an official meeting with the French President.
He flew economy class on a regular airplane at the back of the plane with the regular folks. Cost his taxpayers about $1,500 for round trip airfare on Quantas.
That's a 21 hour flight each way.
Compare that to Obama. Round trip to Paris would cost about $100 million.
Oh yes I know Obama is a VIP and needs security. But the PM of Australia is also a VIP and needs security too.
Stephen N Russell
Museumize Marine 1 at some air musuem or Presidential library center alone for display, be awesome Only Reagen Library has latest then 707 AF1 model ( that AF still owns).