Continuing to defend Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft, Connecticut’s congressional delegation is asking the Navy for a report on cost overruns associated with rival Lockheed Martin Corp.’s presidential helicopter program.
Lockheed Martin’s $6.1 billion next-generation presidential helicopter program, which beat out Sikorsky in January 2005 to build the Navy’s helicopter, is at least 50 percent over budget. It will need to be re-certified as a national security requirement by the Pentagon’s leadership.
The lawmakers who signed the letter were Sen. Christopher Dodd and Representatives Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, James Himes, John Larson and Christopher S. Murphy, all Democrats.
“We write to express our concern regarding the significant cost overruns associated with the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter.
The members of Congress asked for a report and briefing on development plans for the program, including an analysis of reopening the contract for bidding or requiring split-production between Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky.
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp.had long been the manufacturer of Marine One and is a “tested and proven prime contractor” for the helicopter fleet, the congressional delegation said. (AP)
