Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., which has flown “every commander-in-chief since Eisenhower,” looks to retain the contract for the presidential helicopter when the current fleet of Marine One aircraft are replaced.
The Stratford-based helicopter manufacturer announced May 3 that it would submit a joint bid along with Lockheed Martin in response to the U.S. Navy’s release of a final request for proposals (RFP) for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program.
Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin, which is among the world’s largest defense contractors, will collaborate on a bid that would have a fleet of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters replacing the VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60N WhiteHawks currently used to transport the president, vice president and other dignitaries and cabinet members.
Both the VH-3D and VH-60N models are built by Sikorsky, which is a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp.
“Sikorsky brings unmatched experience having flown every commander-in-chief since President Eisenhower,” a company statement read. “When combined with Lockheed Martin’s system’s integration expertise, our team provides unparalleled knowledge of presidential helicopter transport.”
