Agusta was an Italian helicopter manufacturer. It was based in Samarate , Northern Italy . The company was founded by Count Giovanni Agusta in 1923, who flew his first airplane in 1907. The MV Agusta motorcycle manufacturer began as an offshoot of the Agusta aviation company at the end of the Second World War, as a means to save the jobs of employees of the Agusta firm.
44-694: (Redirected from US101 ) US-101 may refer to: U.S. Route 101 , a highway that serves the West Coast of the United States Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel , U.S. military designation for the AgustaWestland AW101 WUSY , an FM radio station in Chattanooga, Tennessee [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
88-401: A multinational helicopter design and manufacturing company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonardo S.p.A . From 1952, the company became involved in helicopter manufacturing, first building Bell helicopters under licence, but later Sikorsky , Boeing and McDonnell Douglas products as well. The company also had ambitions to design and build its own helicopters. The Agusta A.101 and
132-508: A case of bribery by Finmeccanica in its deal with India following which the government of India issued a show cause notice to the company. A complaint was filed seeking an investigation into the sale of 21 civil helicopters worth over Rs 7,000 crore (US$ 1.6 billion) by AgustaWestland between 2005 and 2013 in India. As per the complaint Agusta Westland has been selling civil helicopters in India through. Tax authorities in India have been asked to probe
176-467: A decision to cancel; the program was effectively placed on hold while options were considered. In July 2008, the VH-71A (also called Increment 1) was to reach operating capability in 2010. The second phase of the development, VH-71B (Increment 2) was expected to start entering service in 2017. In October 2008, while commenting on defense programs likely to be cut following the change in government, John Young,
220-620: A joint House and Senate Defense Appropriation Bill for FY 2010, which includes $ 130 million funding for the Marine One program: $ 100 million to recoup technologies developed under the VH-71 Kestrel program, and $ 30 million for the Navy's initial studies on a new VH-XX program. In February 2010, the Navy issued a request for information to the aviation industry. In April 2010, Lockheed Martin announced they would team with Sikorsky in offering
264-463: A lack of flexibility and compromise on the part of the government had negatively impacted the program. By late 2008, the cancellation of the VH-71 was looking increasingly likely. In February 2009, President Barack Obama asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates about placing the project on hold or canceling it because of its high cost: over $ 13 billion for the planned 28 helicopters. In June 2009,
308-502: A medium-lift helicopter, an AW101 derivative, in the United States. At that time, the team declared that the derivative, which was designated as the US101 , would be "65% American". The companies envisaged the aircraft being adopted in three major roles; U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue, U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue, and U.S. Marine Corps executive transport. In early 2002,
352-541: A second procurement competition), and the 70-aircraft Common Vertical Lift Support Program (CVLSP). Specifications with an asterisk (*) next to them are specifically for the VH-71. All others are for AW101. Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004, others General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Agusta In July 2000, Agusta merged with Westland Helicopters to form AgustaWestland S.p.A.,
396-502: Is also based upon the AW101. The transferred VH-71s were stripped of sensitive parts, and seven remained in an airworthy condition. In 2013, media reports stated Canada is studying whether up to four of the VH-71s can be certified for operational use; manufacturer AgustaWestland has openly stated their support for the regeneration initiative. On 8 August 2018, it was reported that Leonardo S.p.A.
440-725: The Agusta A.106 can be considered the best of its earlier attempts. Others included the AB.102 , A.103 , A.104 , and A.115 . It also produced a small line of aero engines such as the GA.70 and GA.140 . Developed in the 1970s, the Agusta A109 is a commercial and military twin-turbine helicopter, of which the latest variants are still in production. In 1983, the Agusta A129 Mangusta anti-tank helicopter partook in its first official flight engagement. It
484-668: The Agusta A109 Power , an improved version of the A109C series (1994) and the Agusta A119 Koala (1997), a single-engine design based on the A109. Agusta became involved in the Belgian bribery scandal when it was revealed that the company had paid the two Belgian socialist parties who were then (1988/1989) in the government to assist the company in getting the contract for attack helicopters for
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#1732844620738528-622: The Sikorsky S-92 instead of the VH-71. In June 2010, Boeing announced it was considering a U.S.-built licensed version of the AgustaWestland AW101 for the renewed VXX program as well as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and Boeing CH-47 Chinook . In June 2011, the nine VH-71s were purchased for $ 164 million by Canada for use as spare parts for its fleet of AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopter, which
572-452: The U.S. Navy terminated the contract after spending about $ 4.4 billion and taking delivery of nine VH-71s. After the cancellation, the delivered helicopters were sold to Canada for $ 164 million, where they were used as source of spare parts for its fleet of AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters. The AgustaWestland AW101 , initially designated as EH101 , was originally developed and produced by EH Industries, which
616-660: The United States Department of Defense issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of 23 helicopters to be used as a replacement for the 11 VH-3Ds and 8 VH-60Ns of the Marine Corps' HMX-1 squadron, which performs the role of Presidential helicopter transportation; this requirement was given the designation of VXX , or the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. Two companies, AgustaWestland and Sikorsky Aircraft responded to
660-858: The Belgian Army. In 1998, Agusta formed a joint venture with Bell Helicopter Textron called the Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company . Its aim was to develop the Bell/Agusta AB139 helicopter and the Bell/Agusta BA609 tiltrotor aircraft. Bell later withdrew from the BA609 project, which is now known as the AgustaWestland AW609 . In July 2000, Finmeccanica and GKN plc agreed to merge their respective helicopter subsidiaries (Agusta and GKN-Westland Helicopters ), forming AgustaWestland . It
704-619: The Lockheed-AgustaWestland partnership sought out other firms to participate in the proposed local manufacturing effort for the US101; in particular, the team pursued Bell Helicopters , which was at that time part of another EH101 consortium, offering the type in Canada. That same year, Rolls-Royce Holdings , who manufactured the EH101's RTM322 , also sought out an American partner to locally produce
748-571: The President to support a VH-71 program. On 22 July 2009, the House Appropriations Committee approved $ 485 million to make five VH-71As operational. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) estimated that shutting down VH-71 production, upgrading the existing fleet, and later implementing a successor program would cost $ 14–$ 21 billion. It was reported not only that a new fleet would not be available until 2024 (at which point
792-585: The RFP, as the source of cost overruns. A GAO report in 2011 concluded that the VH-71's development was not allowed flexibility or trade-offs considered by the customer. In December 2007, DoD officials met with the White House Military Office to discuss the program's future; the Pentagon had apparently wanted to terminate the VH-71 due to setbacks, budget issues, and design problems. The White House overruled
836-612: The US101 was selected for the VXX Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program, and was promptly re-designated as the VH-71 . However, development was subject to delays, cost overruns, and engineering issues; Lockheed attributed much of these issues to unanticipated and extensive modifications being demanded by the government that had been absent from the request for proposal (RFP) issued. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report in 2011 also recognised that
880-613: The Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, stated that the VH-71 "is very high on that list". The rising cost of VH-71 program contrasted poorly with President Barack Obama 's stance on curbing government spending; during a White House gathering in February 2009 President Obama commented that the procurement process had "gone amok and we are going to have to fix it." He additionally stated that "The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me." In March 2009
924-607: The VXX RFP; additionally, that had been interest in a potential Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey -based bid, however the rotorcraft was deemed to be non-transportable by military airlift and thus unsuitable to qualify. Sikorsky had proposed the VH-92, a variant of the H-92 Superhawk , in partnership with FlightSafety International , L-3 Communications , Northrop Grumman , Rockwell Collins , Vought Aircraft Industries , and GE-Aviation . During
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#1732844620738968-518: The bidding process, Sikorsky attacked the US101 for its foreign origins; in December 2004, Sikorsky VXX programme manager Nick Lappos derided the bid as: ""What is a socialist country and a socialist company going to teach us about competition?". The selection was originally to occur in April 2004, however programme officials decided to postpone their decision for a further eight months to conduct more analysis on
1012-538: The bids. On 28 January 2005, the Department of Defense announced that it had selected the US101 as the winner. It has been speculated that the US101's three engines had been a decisive factor over the rivaling twin-engined VH-92. John Young, the USN's assistant secretary for acquisition technology and logistics, stated of the selection: "The Lockheed team probably started with a helicopter that needed less. They more closely met
1056-521: The cancellation. The aircraft's cancellation provoked commentators to speak out about its impact on future acquisition contracts with European businesses. The failure by the U.S. Department of Defense acquisition process as demonstrated by the VH-71 may scare away potential partners. Around March 2009, a coalition of lawmakers encouraged the Administration to continue a variation of the VH-71 program. A letter issued by several members of Congress urged
1100-451: The cost of a new procurement program, industry officials stated that to merely extend the operating life of the current fleet is a risky choice because it is both less secure and costly to maintain. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, including Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) have been outspoken critics of the Pentagon in the matter—Bartlett recently claiming that "they had this conversation outside
1144-623: The domestic assembly of the US101. Boeing showed persistent interest in joining the US101 consortium, as well as in alternate arrangements to produce the NHIndustries NH90 helicopter. On 15 May 2003, AgustaWestland signed an agreement with Bell Helicopter to undertake final assembly of the US101 in the U.S. Under the pact, AgustaWestland would produce the main rotor blades and main fuselage sections at its headquarters in Yeovil , UK . The company would also manufacture other components, including
1188-486: The engine; Rolls-Royce also envisioned integrating US-specific technology into the engine and its potential use in powering the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. By August 2002, there were reports in the media, of various US aircraft manufacturers, including Bell, Boeing and Kaman Aerospace , that were holding discussions with the consortium and may potentially be selected as a subcontractor to perform
1232-625: The estimated cost of developing and modifying the aircraft had risen by 40% to $ 2.4 billion and had passed the $ 4.2 billion expected for the production of the fleet. In March 2008, the program cost had risen and was projected to cost a total $ 11.2 billion, or about $ 400 million per helicopter. During dialogue over the CSAR-X (in which the EH101 was LMSI's offering), the Air Force Source Selection Authority (SSA) stated
1276-451: The existing VH-71 program. In 2009, the CRS proposed four options: Option 1 was to continue the VH-71 program with Increment I and II versions; the additional cost was estimated at $ 10 billion and the entry into service date was 2019. Option 2 was to restructure the program to provide 23 Increment I aircraft; at an additional cost of $ 6.4 billion and would be operational by 2012. Option 3
1320-410: The existing helicopters would have remained in service while being over 50 years old), but that terminating the existing program would waste more than $ 3 billion in sunk VH-71 costs. Following the President's decision to terminate the program a variety of lawmakers, think tanks and media outlets publicly concluded it would be more cost-effective and less time-consuming to continue with a variation of
1364-559: The gearbox, at its facility in Cascina Costa , Italy ; this represents a work share of 36 per cent. The remaining 64 per cent work share was split between Lockheed Martin (31 per cent) and Bell Helicopter (27 per cent) and other firms (6 per cent). In February 2002, the US Marine Corps commenced a study to identify potential replacement rotorcraft for the aging Sikorsky VH-3D presidential transport helicopters. On 18 December 2003,
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1408-501: The helicopter in a C-17 Globemaster III to Naval Air Station Patuxent River , Maryland , for further testing. The first production VH-71 joined the test program at NAS Patuxent River, beginning ground testing in early December 2008. The US101 also competed for two further USAF contracts, the 141-aircraft Combat Search and Rescue Replacement (CSAR-X) project (originally won by the Boeing HH-47 on 10 November 2006, but now subject to
1452-526: The partnership and we regret that." Loren Thompson, an analyst for the Lexington Institute , stated "I do not believe that the story of VH-71 is over... Secretary Gates has not made a convincing case for terminating the program, and there is no alternative helicopter that can satisfy range and payload requirements while still landing on the White House lawn." On 19 December 2009, President Obama signed
1496-768: The program's performance had been "unsatisfactory". In March 2007, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, upholding Sikorsky and Lockheed's protests against Boeing's HH-47 , mentioned "LMSI had received a little confidence rating for past performance due to unsatisfactory performance under its current contract for the VH-71 Presidential helicopter, which was evaluated as the most highly relevant to this procurement." The SSA stated that LMSI had "show[n] that it could not reliably meet important schedule requirements and had difficulty in systems engineering flow-downs to their subcontractors." Lockheed responded that government insistence on extensive modifications, unanticipated in
1540-449: The projected total cost for the planned 28 VH-71s was over $ 13 billion. On 6 April 2009 the proposed Defense budget announced by Defense Secretary Robert Gates had not included funding for the VH-71. On 1 June 2009, the U.S. Navy announced that the contract was officially canceled, and that remaining funds were to be reinvested in upgrades to the existing fleet of VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters. Nine VH-71s had been completed at time of
1584-561: The requirements of the Royal Navy and the Italian Navy . In 1985 the company started a collaborative programme with the aeronautic industries of France, Germany and the Netherlands in order to develop and produce the NHIndustries NH90 , a nine-ton twin-engine multi-role medium helicopter in order to satisfy the requirements of their respective countries’ armed forces. 1990s projects include
1628-474: The requirements we had laid out, and that allowed them to table less work that had to be completed to get to the finish line and deliver a product". The US101 team was awarded a US$ 1.7 billion contract for the System Development and Demonstration phase. In July 2005, the US101 received the military designation VH-71 Kestrel . Delays and engineering issues plagued the VH-71's development. By 2007,
1672-645: The same title formed as a letter–number combination. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=US-101&oldid=1167843457 " Category : Letter–number combination disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel The Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel
1716-528: Was a joint venture between the British Westland Helicopters and Italian Agusta companies; Westland merged with Agusta to form AgustaWestland in 2001. AgustaWestland held considerable interest in the export prospects of the AW101, including the prospects for an extensive overseas manufacturing consortium. On 23 July 2002, Lockheed Martin and AgustaWestland announced that they had signed a 10-year agreement to jointly market, manufacture and support
1760-429: Was a restructure to provide 19 Increment I aircraft to replace the current fleet; the additional cost for this option was estimated at $ 5.6 billion and the entry into service by 2012. The last option was to upgrade and extend life of current fleet at a cost of $ 1.4 billion; however this would not meet the standards required for future presidential helicopters, and would require replacement sooner. In addition to
1804-747: Was a variant of the AgustaWestland AW101 (formerly the EH101) that was being manufactured to replace the United States Marine Corps ' Marine One U.S. Presidential transport fleet. Originally marketed for various competitions as the US101 , it was developed and manufactured in the US by a consortium headed by Lockheed Martin , consisting of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego (LMSI), AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter . In January 2005,
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1848-619: Was converting the seven airworthy helicopters into mission-ready CH-149s. The first test VH-71A, Test Vehicle #2 (TV-2), made its initial flight on 3 July 2007 at AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil in the UK. Lockheed Martin also used an EH101, designated TV-1, for initial testing in the United States; these tests included landing on the lawn of the White House . The first production VH-71A, Pilot Production #1 (PP-1), made its maiden flight on 22 September 2008 from Yeovil. The US Air Force transported
1892-565: Was reported on 12 February 2013 that the chief executive, Giuseppe Orsi, was arrested on corruption charges. Prosecutors allege he paid bribes to ensure the sale of 12 helicopters to the Indian government, when he was head of the group's AgustaWestland unit. On 13 February 2013, Finmeccanica's Board of Directors named Alessandro Pansa as chief executive officer and resolved to confer the role of vice chairman to Admiral Guido Venturoni. Shortly after Pansa's appointment, Italian investigators discovered
1936-628: Was the first attack helicopter to be designed and produced in Western Europe. However, this helicopter has been a limited commercial success so far, seeing service with the Italian Army , and has also been a modernized variant being developed for the Turkish Army . The 1980s saw the start of several collaborative projects for Agusta. In 1981 Agusta and Westland of Britain started the EH101 medium-lift naval helicopter project in order to satisfy
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