Statement on VXX Announcement
(Source: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp; issued Jan. 28, 2005)
STRATFORD, Conn. --- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation received word today that its H-92 helicopter was not selected as the next Marine One helicopter. The company anticipates a full debrief on the Navy's evaluation and analysis.
"Sikorsky and our All-American supplier team are disappointed with this outcome. We're honored to have flown U.S. Presidents for nearly half a century and believe we put forward an exceptionally strong proposal to continue this tradition," said Stephen N. Finger, president of Sikorsky Aircraft. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who worked so diligently. Everyone at Sikorsky Aircraft, as well as our partner companies across the country, should be proud of their efforts.
"I am confident in the future of the S-92," Mr. Finger added. "Sikorsky is a growing company committed to providing our customers with outstanding quality and value. We are focused on doubling our business by 2008, with a portfolio of products and aftermarket services for military and commercial customers worldwide. We anticipate achieving this goal even absent the VXX."
Published data shows that the S-92, the baseline version of the H-92, flies farther, flies faster and carries more than the EH-101. Independent data confirms that the S-92 is lower in cost and costs less to operate.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency have certified the S-92 to a higher standard of safety than virtually every helicopter flying today, including the EH-101. Furthermore, since certification in December 2002, the S-92 and H-92 have won every other competition against the EH-101, including selection by the governments of Canada, Turkey, and Turkmenistan; Gulf Helicopters in Qatar; and CHC, the world's largest offshore oil operator. (ends)
Hunter Statement on Awarding of Presidential Helicopter Contract
(Source: House Armed Services Committee; issued Jan. 29, 2005)
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) made the following statement about the Pentagon announcement today awarding the VXX Program contract to Lockheed Martin. The VXX Program will develop the replacement aircraft for the current Presidential Helicopter fleet. The System Development and Demonstration (SDD) value is estimated to be approximately $1.8 billion and will consist of engineering design and integration activities.
"I am very disappointed that the Pentagon selected the Lockheed Martin/Agusta Westland candidate for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement program. The Sikorsky proposal would have been entirely designed and built in the United States, as opposed to only 64 percent of the Lockheed offering. Further, those helicopter technologies of most competitive value will be designed and produced by the European partners.
"This decision is all the more unfortunate given the continued atrophy of the United States helicopter industrial base. The European helicopter manufacturers already have a commanding position in the global helicopter marketplace. A competitive and viable American helicopter technology base remains of vital importance to U.S. national security. Therefore, it is difficult to understand why we would use U.S. tax dollars to fund the further development of foreign helicopter technology." (ends)
Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on Marine One Prototype Selection
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters; issued Jan. 28, 2005)
WASHINGTON --- The following is an official statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on Marine One Prototype Selection:
“Along with 3,700 members of Teamsters Local 1150, I am disappointed by today's decision to award the contract for production and development of the next fleet of Marine One presidential helicopters to a foreign conglomerate.
The Teamsters who work at Sikorsky's main production facility in Stratford, Connecticut are among the finest aerospace workers in the business and future passengers and crews of Marine One deserve nothing less than their superior craftsmanship and expertise.
For well over a year, the Teamsters have been working with the Connecticut Congressional Delegation and our counterparts at Sikorsky to promote the Sikorsky VH-92 as the safer, faster, and more cost-effective prototype for Marine One. I would like to thank Sens. Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, as well as Reps. Chris Shays, Rosa DeLauro, and Rob Simmons, for their strong and unrelenting leadership throughout this process. I cannot overstate the importance of the bipartisan efforts that these five members of Congress made both individually and collaboratively on behalf of Connecticut's economy and working families.
Everyone involved in this process should be proud of their role in promoting the 100 percent American-made VH-92. In spite of today's decision, we did succeed in proving that workers, their union and their employer can join together in an effort to create American jobs and grow our economy. The Teamsters at Sikorsky will continue to craft the safest and most reliable helicopters in the world, including many that serve the men and women in our armed forces today.”
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