VXX

VXX is a procurement program to replace aging Marine One helicopters that transport the President of the United States. The current VH-3 helicopters have aging airframes, having entered service with U.S. Marine Corps Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) in 1963. The VH-3D replaced the VH-3A by 1976. The smaller VH-60N was ordered beginning in 1989.

In 2002, it was proposed to replace the current helicopters. The U.S. Department of Defense issued a request for proposals on December 18, 2003 for the supply of 23 helicopters to replace the 11 VH-3Ds and 8 VH-60Ns of USMC HMX-1 squadron. This requirement was given the designation VXX (V being the prefix for VIP aircraft and XX representing the then unspecified numerical part of the designation).

Both AgustaWestland and Sikorsky responded to the RFP. Sikorsky proposed the VH-92, a variant of the H-92 Superhawk. On January 28, 2005 the Department of Defense announced that it had selected the US101 for the VXX program. The US101 team was awarded a US$1.7 billion contract for the VXX system development and demonstration (SDD) phase. The Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland AW101-based US101 bid was given the military designation VH-71 Kestrel in mid-2005.

The replacement cost of the fleet was estimated at $6.1 billion when the VH-71 contracts were signed in 2005. However, by March 2008 the cost of the new 28 helicopter fleet was projected to total $11.2 billion, or roughly $400 million per helicopter. Political controversy began in February 2009 amid calls for fiscal restraint, and, as a result, President Barack Obama announced that he had instructed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to review the helicopter situation and on 6 April 2009, Gates announced the ending of VH-71 funding, after 9 aircraft had already been built at a cost of about 600 million dollars each.

In February 2010, the navy issued a request for information to the aviation industry. Responses will be used to restart the VXX contest. In April 2010, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announced they would team in offering the VH-92. In June, Boeing announced it is considering a US-built licensed version of the AgustaWestland AW101, on which the VH-71 was based. Boeing is also considering the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Boeing CH-47 Chinook for the presidential VXX program. Whichever platform is picked will be expected to be delivered between 2017 and 2023.

On November 23, 2012, Naval Air Systems Command released a draft request for proposals for a new VXX program. The new requirements lowered the number of people the helicopter had to carry, shortened its range, and simplifying its communications. By mid-2013, Boeing, Bell Helicopter and AgustaWestland declined to take part in the project. Only Sikorsky seemed likely to bid on the VXX contract.