Defense Acquisitions: Application of Lessons Learned and Best Practices in the Presidential Helicopter Program

摘要

The Marine Corps's HMX-1 squadron currently utilizes two types of helicopters-the VH-3D and the VH-60N-to carryout the presidential helicopter mission. Over the past several years, numerous modifications and improvements have been made to both aircraft types to incorporate emerging technologies and address new requirements. These improvements have increased the gross weight of the helicopters-decreasing some aspects of mission capability, for example, range, and severely limiting the ability to incorporate future improvements because of the impact of further weight growth. According to program officials, over time it had become increasingly difficult to accommodate the demands placed on the HMX-1 aircraft in support of presidential requirements. The events following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, highlighted the need for improved transportation, communication, and security capabilities for presidential support aircraft. As a result, a VXX replacement helicopter program was initiated in April 2002 to begin fielding a new helicopter in the 2011 time frame. A subsequent November 2002 White House memo to the Secretary of Defense articulated a goal of having the new helicopter available earlier, and in response, the Navy developed an accelerated program plan to develop and initially field a new helicopter by the end of 2008. The VXX program was subsequently redesignated the VH-71 program.