Presidential Helicopter Back to Drawing Board?

The presidential helicopter is having big problems. Rebecca Christie at Dow Jones (sorry, subscription only) reports that with problems mounting on the presidential helicopter, known as Marine Corps One, the Navy is looking at a whole new approach.

The U.S. Navy now wants what amounts to an all-new helicopter for its next presidential transport, leading to a two-stage development process that is significantly more complicated - and perhaps more expensive - than expected.

*Navy officials told Dow Jones Newswires that the final fleet of 23 VH-71 helicopters will need new, longer rotor blades, new engines, a new transmission and a new tail so they can carry the president and a heavy electronics system over a 350-nautical-mile range. These helicopters will require an extensive battery of flight tests and design reviews, and it's not yet clear whether they can meet a 2015 goal for entering service. *

Lockheed is working to finish the first five aircraft, to include major modifications requested by the Navy. But it looks now like the remaining fleet will be substantially different.

Back in 2005, the Navy selected Lockheed's US 101, a helicopter based and British-Italian AgustaWestland design. While some in Congress wanted an all-American option, it the end, it appears that cost growth and weight problems are what led the Navy to rethink its options.