Forum: Rotary Wing Aircraft

Draft RFP for new Marine One....

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-releases-draft-rfp-for-presidential-helicopter-379466/

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Christ... how hard can it be to buy a stupid helicopter. The president should make a statement by just riding in a regular USMC bird. Screw having a competition.

Agreed.

borntoholdout wrote:

Agreed.

You're telling me. I believe Eisenhower was the first president to use a helicopter for transport, and he would have been appalled. Back then, it was probably simple as "grab a Marine bird, slap on some blue paint, and make the inside a little more comfy. These days...

Times have changed. For example, the communications gear that you need the President to have immediate access to has increased significantly in complexity. In Eisenhower's day all they had (that is all that existed) was basic radio. PLus the President is a bigger target these days so protection is critical.

Since former US Navy Sea Kings are being upgraded to S-61T standards, why not do the same with the old VH-3Ds? These upgraded Sea Kings are being sent out to Afghanistan and operated by the State Department. Look into the S-61T upgrade, it's worth checking out.

Forum: Rotary Wing Aircraft

Here we go again....