Presidential helo milestone C decision scheduled for this month

By Justin Katz / May 6, 2019 at 8:31 PM

The new presidential helicopter program is scheduled to face a milestone C decision at the end of this month, according to a senior Marine Corps official.

Maj. Gen. Greg Masiello, program executive officer overseeing the VH-92A program, told attendees today at the Sea Air Space symposium the program office has a "handshake" deal with VH-92A prime contractor Sikorsky.

Spencer Elani, Sikorsky's VH-92A program director, told Inside Defense in a May 6 statement the company has transferred three helicopters into government testing.

"The aircraft engaged in landings and takeoffs at the White House as part of a comprehensive test plan to ensure the aircraft meets all operational requirements," Elani added.

The production contract includes options for all three lots in which 17 helicopters would be procured. Those 17 aircraft would be bought over the course of three years from fiscal year 2019 to FY-21 and complete the program of record with 21 operational and two test aircraft, Inside Defense previously reported.

Navy acquisition executive Hondo Geurts is the milestone decision authority for the program.

Masiello also said the program office provided two aircraft for early operational assessment last month, which he said went "reasonably well."

"I see no reason to question where we're going," he added.

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