Aircraft maker Boeing Co. will get a helicopter production license from Italy‘s Finmeccanica SpA to bid against Sikorky Aircraft’s partnership pursuing the U.S. presidential helicopter contract, Reuters reports.
Boeing said Monday it will secure a license from Finmeccanica’s AgustaWestland unit for U.S. production of the AW101 helicopter as an entry for the U.S. Navy’s VXX presidential helicopter program, Reuters said, citing a statement on Boeing’s website.
“Because of this arrangement, the aircraft will be a Boeing aircraft, built by Boeing personnel at one of its U.S. facilities,” the statement said.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Finmeccanica, an Italian defence and aerospace company, will act as a subcontractor if Boeing wins the contract.
AgustaWestland had tied up with U.S. aerospace company Lockheed Martin Corp. to win the U.S. presidential helicopter tender in 2005 with AgustaWestland’s EH101 model. However, President Barack Obama cancelled the contract because of cost issues.
United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky unit and Lockheed Martin said in April they would team up to compete for the helicopter program.
