Francesco Clark: The Other Side of the Mole Hill
60 Black Music Style Icons
New Presidential Helicopter Fleet May Be Scrapped
Filed under: Wings
The new presidential helicopter may be the latest casualty of the economic crisis. The Lockheed Martin Corp VH-71 helicopter program was created to replace the current VH-3 helicopters which have been in service for decades. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is calling for termination of the program which has seen costs balloon as time went on. Originally a fleet of 23 helicopters created to support the president was supposed to $6.5 billion but now it is estimated to cost over $13 billion and is years behind schedule. Gates has said the Pentagon will work on new strategies for a presidential helicopter soon. At over $400 million apiece, each new VH-71 helicopter would have cost more than the last Air Force One plane.
The VH-71 is currently in the testing phase,the first operational, or pilot production VH-71 made its initial flight September 22, 2008.
PHOTOS: Most And Least Christian States In America
Rookie Cop Reportedly Berated, Called 'A Rat' For Arresting Off-Duty Officer
Brooke Shields Goes From 'Pretty Baby' To Gorgeous Woman
Rodents Run Amok at Upstate New York Walmart
Apple CEO Tim Cook interview at D10: the liveblog
New Video Shows Face-Eating Attack Lasted 18 Minutes
How I Went Bankrupt at 23
Can a New Guy Save Best Buy?
Waiter Down On His Luck Scores 19,000 Percent Tip
Walmart Ending Membership in Conservative Group
Beyonce 60-Pound Weight Loss: Queen B Flaunts New Figure During Comeback Concert Series
Does Tebow Have A Secret Girlfriend?
I'm A Successful Entrepreneur But Might Get Deported
What's a Realistic Retirement Age?
The State With The Most Smokers Is...
Mark Zuckerberg Makes Surprise Cameo on Chinese TV
Do Women Have A "Sexual Prime'"?
PHOTOS: Did Jess Get Too Much Photoshop?
Seattle Gunman Kills 5, Injures 1 Before Shooting Self To Death
Disturbing Video Allegedly Shows Montreal Torso Suspect Murdering Victim
LOOK: Photos Of Military Moms Breastfeeding In Uniform Cause Controversy
WATCH: Fox News Makes A Straight-Up GOP Commercial
VIDEO, PHOTOS: Man Who Chewed Off Victim's Face ID'd
Chander Lost More Than 70 Pounds: 'I'm A Fitness Freak!'
10 Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions
CNN Crisis Worsens
Kathie Lee's Awkward Gaffe About Martin Short's Dead Wife
Naked Face Eater's Victim ID'd
'Private Practice' Cast Shake Up
Parents Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder After Children's Tragic Deaths
Boy Buys Old Polaroid Camera, Finds Picture Of Uncle
Man Allegedly Disembowels Himself And Throws Intestines At Cops