sea

A New Presidential Ride

The aging Marine One helicopter fleet is finally due to retire. Meet its successor

After decades of upgrades to a fleet of notoriously cramped Sikorsky VH-3 Sea Kings, the White House has tasked Lockheed Martin with a dramatic, $6.1-billion makeover of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, starting this summer. The goal: to fit a mobile Oval Office into the tight quarters of a chopper. The new fleet will consist of 23 VH-71 aircraft, each of which will have 200 square feet of cabin space, nearly double the Sea King´s 116.

Aside from the legroom, the copter will incorporate major upgrades to the old defense and communications

[ Read Full Story ]


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
Current theme: Technology You Love

Subscribe for 2 free issues!

may2008_cover.jpg