Lockheed opens VH-71 presidential copter integration facility

BY A CORRESPONDENT
June 14, 2006

Lockheed Martin executives were joined here today by members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, New York congressional delegation, and state and local elected officials, to formally open the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Integration Facility.

"Today puts us one step closer to seeing a new presidential helicopter flying from the White House," said Bob Stevens, chairman president and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin. "It is a tangible example of the commitment of the entire Lockheed Martin Corporation to the success of this critical program."

In addition to Stevens, elected and U.S. Navy officials attending today's ribbon cutting event included:

- Governor of New York George Pataki (R)
- U.S. Senator from New York Charles Schumer (D)
- U.S. Senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton (D)
- U.S. Representative from New York Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd), and
- Dr. Dolores Etter, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition
- Rear Admiral Mark Fox, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office

In total, more than 725 people - hosted by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration President Frank C. Meyer - attended the event.

Governor George Pataki: "Today is a great day for the working families of the Southern Tier and all of New York. Today we open the new Presidential Helicopter facility, where the dedicated and hard working employees of Lockheed Martin will make a sophisticated, next-generation helicopter for the President of the United States. New York's skilled workforce and our successful partnership helped to make this day a reality, creating hundreds of new jobs and opportunities for the region, and we remain committed to fighting for every job using pro-growth, pro-job policies that we know work to help companies like Lockheed Martin achieve success."

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer: "This is an exciting moment for Lockheed Martin, Owego and the entire Southern Tier. The men and women of Lockheed Martin earned this contract on the merits through their hard work and dedication, and I'm proud to have supported their efforts from day one. The opening of this facility is an exciting first step toward delivering a top--notch helicopter to the President and realizing the economic benefits of this project for the region."

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton: "What a tremendous day for Owego, the Southern Tier and all of New York. This is an incredible accomplishment we can all take great pride in but most especially the men and women of Lockheed Martin's Owego plant. As a Member of the Armed Services Committee, I always said that if the decision was based on the merits, Lockheed Martin would be selected. From my involvement at the very beginning, it was clear we would all work together to get to this day."

The new 176,000-square-foot facility features aircraft integration hangars, program management and engineering office space, systems integration laboratories, aircraft parts storage, and maintenance and helicopter paint facilities. The complex also includes a new helicopter flight operations area.

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the Navy's VH-71 Presidential Helicopter program with overall responsibility for the program and aircraft system. The VH-71 is based on the US101 helicopter, the American variant of AgustaWestland's successful EH101 multimission helicopter. AgustaWestlandBell, the U.S. principal subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, has responsibility for the basic air vehicle design, production build, and basic air vehicle support functions. More than 200 suppliers in 41 states support the VH-71 program.