$11.2 Billion for Marine One helicopters

[SavageOrangeJug]

President Obama has talked tough about the need to shed wasteful spending. But will he practice what he preaches? His one-time rival, Sen. John McCain, brought up a pricey presidential project that seems a bit unnecessary — a fleet of 28 new Marine One helicopters that will cost taxpayers around $11.2 billion.

At a recent summit to cut the federal deficit, Sen. McCain suggested that if President Obama wants to help the economy, perhaps he should consider canceling his order. Obama replied that he's already looking into it. Obama then joked that perhaps he's been unknowingly deprived all his life, but his current Marine One chopper seems just fine to him. CNN is reporting that the new helicopters, which were originally ordered by President George W. Bush, are now on hold (though not officially cancelled...yet).

Naturally, all this talk of gazillion-dollar equipment has people searching. Folks are desperate to know more about the fancy helicopters, what they can do, and why they cost such an exorbitant sum of cash. Queries immediately surged on "marine one photos" and "why is it called marine one." Regarding the second inquiry: It's called Marine One only when the president is aboard.

As for why the president needs 28 of them — apparently, it's a safety precaution. When flying in Marine One, identical choppers travel next to the president's ride. Trickery throws off the bad guys.

But why in the world do these contraptions cost $400 million each? After all, isn't a helicopter just a helicopter? Apparently not. The Washington Post explains that the proposed fleet would be outfitted with "cutting-edge communications equipment, antimissile defenses and hardened hulls." Oh, and a kitchen. You can't forget that.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92303?fp=1

 

[OrangeEmpire]

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92303?fp=1

 

[SavageOrangeJug]

YES! Please put Obama on one of those unstable Ospreys.....PLEASE DO!!!!!!!!!!

Fly him on one three times a day. :good!:

 

[OrangeEmpire]

YES! Please put Obama on one of those unstable Ospreys.....PLEASE DO!!!!!!!!!!

Fly him on one three times a day. :good!:

:lolabove:

 

[DC Vol]

YES! Please put Obama on one of those unstable Ospreys.....PLEASE DO!!!!!!!!!!

Fly him on one three times a day. :good!:

They're actually very stable. 4 crashes during 9 years of testing and none in 3 years of operations.

I've flown on one several times and didn't fear for my life in the least. Good solid post though.

 

[SavageOrangeJug]

They're actually very stable. 4 crashes during 9 years of testing and none in 3 years of operations.

I've flown on one several times and didn't fear for my life in the least. Good solid post though.

There was much re-engineering in the early phases of development. The early design was very unstable. The concept itself is a remarkably versatile aircraft. I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen more mutations of this design.

That being said, I would hop on one right now. That's not saying much though. I'll climb in anything with wings and an engine. :good!:

 

[DC Vol]

There was much re-engineering in the early phases of development. The early design was very unstable. The concept itself is a remarkably versatile aircraft. I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen more mutations of this design.

That being said I would hop on one right now. That's not saying much though. I'll climb in anything with wings and an engine. :good!:

This is 2009, not 1999.


Hasn't Obama, on many occasions, specifically stated he won't spend money on new Presidential helos? Just another brick in the wall I suppose.

 

[KB5252]

There was much re-engineering in the early phases of development. The early design was very unstable. The concept itself is a remarkably versatile aircraft. I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen more mutations of this design.

That being said, I would hop on one right now. That's not saying much though. I'll climb in anything with at least one leg and a heartbeat! :good!:

:salute:

 

[SavageOrangeJug]

Since you have an interest in aviation. Have you read Skunk Works by Ben R. Rich?

It's a look into the inner workings of the design and build of some of our most top secret aircraft projects. I was fascinated at what an amazing mind Clarence "Kelly" Johnson possessed. I place him on par with Goddard and Von Braun.

 

[Cartervol]

400 million for one of them. Who puts the price tag on these things? I think they just make up a number and say that sounds good go with it.

 

[rjd970]

Since you have an interest in aviation. Have you read Skunk Works by Ben R. Rich?

It's a look into the inner workings of the design and build of some of our most top secret aircraft projects. I was fascinated at what an amazing mind Clarence "Kelly" Johnson possessed. I place him on par with Goddard and Von Braun.

Kelly Johnson was incredible. The story behind what eventually became the F-117 is fascinating.

 

[DC Vol]

400 million for one of them. Who puts the price tag on these things? I think they just make up a number and say that sounds good go with it.

Lockheed had never developed a helo... and they've run into a lot engineering problems that are causing them to run up the bill.


To put it into perspective:
The C-40B/C that the Secretary of the Navy uses (that has all of the "latest greatest" comms equipment and countermeasures) costs $70 million. Oh, it's a converted brand-new Boeing 737-700.



I can't find any logical justification for dropping $400 million on a helicopter.

 

[hndog609]

Since you have an interest in aviation. Have you read Skunk Works by Ben R. Rich?

It's a look into the inner workings of the design and build of some of our most top secret aircraft projects. I was fascinated at what an amazing mind Clarence "Kelly" Johnson possessed. I place him on par with Goddard and Von Braun.

Every time I see an SR-71 and realize they put that thing in the air in the early 60's it still amazes me. That thing STILL looks futuristic today.

 

[SavageOrangeJug]

Lockheed had never developed a helo... and they've run into a lot engineering problems that are causing them to run up the bill.


To put it into perspective:
The C-40B/C that the Secretary of the Navy uses (that has all of the "latest greatest" comms equipment and countermeasures) costs $70 million. Oh, it's a converted brand-new Boeing 737-700.



I can't find any logical justification for dropping $400 million on a helicopter.

I hear you. I also fully understand the legitimate need for backup and decoy aircraft, but 28 of them? You would think 7 or 8 of them would be more than enough.

 

[DC Vol]

I hear you. I also fully understand the legitimate need for backup and decoy aircraft, but 28 of them? You would think 7 or 8 of them would be more than enough.

I'm thinking they're going to use them for VIP flights in the DC area for foreign dignitaries and high ranking congressmen and senators.


I know they're still using Hueys for that. How can you expect Pelosi to take a Huey for her medical appointment at Bethesda? They're... old. You don't expect her to drive, do you?

 

[SavageOrangeJug]

Every time I see an SR-71 and realize they put that thing in the air in the early 60's it still amazes me. That thing STILL looks futuristic today.

You have to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport.

You actually enter on the upper level. You walk a short distance, and there it sits below. The centerpiece of the collection. It was literally one of those OMG experiences for me.

 

[DC Vol]

You have to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport.

You actually enter on the upper level. You walk a short distance, and there it sits below. The centerpiece of the collection. It was literally one of those OMG experiences for me.

That place is amazing.

 

[hndog609]

You have to visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport.

You actually enter on the upper level. You walk a short distance, and there it sits below. The centerpiece of the collection. It was literally one of those OMG experiences for me.

I'd probably turn into a wide-eyed 9yr at the sight of it. That really does need to go on my "bucket list".