Aircraft
U.S. Presidential Helo Delayed Again by Cost, Acquisition Concerns
The Sikorsky VH-3D (pictured) and VH-60N helicopters operated by U.S. Marine Helicopter Squadron One will be upgraded, pending a revised acquisition strategy for the follow-on VXX Presidential helicopter. (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps)
The Sikorsky VH-3D (pictured) and VH-60N helicopters operated by U.S. Marine Helicopter Squadron One will be upgraded, pending a revised acquisition strategy for the follow-on VXX Presidential helicopter. (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps)

The U.S. Navy’s latest attempt to replace the aging Presidential helicopter fleet has been delayed. The Pentagon rejected an analysis of alternatives (AoA) for the VXX program because no “cost-effective” solution was identified, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The VXX program is a successor to the VH-71 acquisition that the DoD terminated in June 2009, after nearly $3 billion had been spent over four years to develop the Lockheed Martin Kestrel version of the AgustaWestland AW101.