@Jeb_Hoge: The harrier is about to get replaced by the JSF though.

RamV10

Oh, there was a fuss about Marine One, it just didn't reach the point that the tankers did. I'm also not sure that the helicopter bid process had the, um, irregularities that the tanker bid process did. As it is, these helicopters are going to be staggeringly expensive.

And @ThiMamakakris120890: You do know that the US flew English Electric Canberras and still flies Harriers, right?

Jeb_Hoge

ACoBildo@ACoBildo: I Was Thinking the same thing. The Airbus is even being built in america from where obama is from so if he gets in to power I think he'll accept the airbus.

This is probably the best large cargo helicopter for its size Plus we british use it so I'v seen it many times and confirm its pretty impressive. I'd never thought the us would buy something british even f it's better than anything you've got.

ThiMamakakris120890

Why is there so much fuss over an Airbus Tanker aircraft, but having a foreign Marine One is alright?

ACoBildo

Here's to hoping it looks MUCH better in US Presidential livery. Sweet ride, Mr. President!

zanella

@danatoth:
Agreed. Sometimes, it just doesn't matter where it is made, as long as it works, and works well.

AndrewG009

@ThiMamakakris120890: HAHA nice one you really have a good point there, maybe we are starting to realize there ARE in fact other countries out there with better tech than us....FINALLY....

danatoth

"Who knew the Pres needed 28 helicopters?"

I think these helos are part of a general pool of VIP helicopters. I'm not positive though.

MyPetFly

Interesting design, I'm curious what the inside of that looks like.

pzich

"Interesting design, I'm curious what the inside of that looks like. "
@pzich:

A bit like this...

MyPetFly

@RamV10: BAE Systems though is a major contributor to the JSF design and production. Still maintaining some English heritage. If Im not mistaken, I think theyre doing the aft fuselage, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and some parts of the wing assembly.

hkmp5n

@danatoth: There's some new artillery pieces coming from both Germany and Sweden about to enter service in the US Army and USMC. Also, the AT-4 anti-tank missile are Swedish designed and made. The standard issue sidearm, The Beretta M9 is Italian. Our entire SpecOps community, as well as many MP units, are using Heckler & Koch weapons, HK416, MP5 and its variants, Mark 23 SOCOM. The M-16 rifle and M-249 and M-240 machine guns are made by FN Herstal, a Belgian company. Granted the M16A4's factory is in South Carolina but its still not an American company. We've got LOTS of foreign made stuff being used by our military.

hkmp5n

@pzich: Very few people will ever know.

Elvisisdead

Why 28? Easy. They always fly in squads of 3. Probably another 3 at patuxant for redundancy, and another 3-6 for training. I would assume another 12 for advance deployment to be there when AF1 lands, and you're getting pretty close to 28.

Elvisisdead

@ACoBildo: In my parts of the world there is plenty wrong. Firstly McCain (yes THAT McCain) is responsible for scuttling Boeing in favor of a foreign contractor. Making matters worse, Airbus is the beneficiary of reimbursable launch aid from the EU -essentially if the plane does well great if not, no worries.
I'm not the largest boeing fan, the tanker they offered up was essentially an out of date model slightly reconfigured. A couple weeks ago however the US government changed the rules allowing Boeing time to design and submit a more modern tanker to compete with Airbus.
If WWII were to break out, we would not have the capability to produce and manufacture the needed machinery as its all been sub'd out. The factories have been mothballed and the skill set is nearly non-existent.

SeattleTed

I love that the President gets a new helicopter while your average Marine still has to fly around in Viet Nam era UH-1, CH-46, and CH-53 helos. Only the best for our troops??

As for the whole foreign deal, the "patriots" who whine about this are clearly the sort of loudmouth, coward "patriots" like Cheney or Limbaugh - they talk big but were never man enough to actually serve in the military. Reality is a LOT of our current weapons are foreign designed. Here's a short list:

M-240 machine gun: Belgium
M-240 SAW: Belgium
MP-5: Germany
M-9 pistol: Italy
M-1 Abrams tank: German cannon, British armor, British smoke dischargers, Belgian machine guns.
AV-8B Harrier: co-designed with Britain
Ranger Special Operations Vehicle: British Land Rover
Marine Corps Interim Fast Attack Vehicle: German Mercedes

cyclocrossmechanic

@MyPetFly:

Yep. I believe they are.

decrescendo

This program is such a disaster/clusterfuck. Overweight, etc.

decrescendo

@cyclocrossmechanic:

Actually the UH-1 and the AH-1 are being replaced/remanufactured, and the CH-46 are being replaced by the MV-22.

Just sayin.

Lerxst

The yellow-green is Zinc Chromate. It's a corrosion inhibitor and primer base for paint. Basically all aluminum aircraft have that as the first coat on top of the metal, and they are often test flown before paint is applied.

barco

Reading through the LockheedMartin press release (linked above) sure makes it sound like it is basically an American helicopter.

Undoubtedly phrased carefully so as to not incite claims of favoritism. AgustaWestland is listed as being the principle subcontractor while Lockheed is the prime contractor - and then goes on to say there are 200 other subcontractors in 41 states.

Either way, I'd like one to commute to work in. I'd even keep it the same greenie!

goglen

@MyPetFly: The whole VH-71 Kestrel fleet is used as transport for both VIPs and other functions. The president, when he flies in one of the current Marine Ones, is in a train of three, with two backups sitting on standby at a nearby airbase.

They are also replacing the VH-60 fleet, a Blackhawk with leather seats, that is currently in service and numbers about 40. VH-71s will also be used as transports for security teams and visiting heads of state.

Sam.Nerd144

That thing fits in a c17?

hike15

@ACoBildo: Because the airship design and contract bid was actually a partnership between AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter, with Lockheed Martin going to be doing the actual airframe construction here in the states.

dwarfgoat