Disputed facts on presidential helicopter.

Frank Colucci's article in the September 2005 edition of National Defense regarding the Navy's presidential helicopter program was riddled with inaccuracies and distortions. Colucci is far from an unbiased journalist, given his status as a paid consultant to one of the companies he mentioned so favorably in his editorial.

The piece would have been more balanced and factually accurate if Lockheed Martin had been provided an opportunity to respond to the author's opinions and allowed to present the factual side of the story. Lockheed Martin was unfortunately not provided that opportunity; the statements attributed to us in the story were gathered in a different context at a trade show many months before the article appeared.

Let me assure you and your readers that the VH-71 program is on schedule, on budget and on track to meet the 2009 initial operational capability date required by the U.S. Navy.

Michael L. Drake

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, N.Y.

Author's Response: The article published in National Defense is based on factual data, not biased opinions. I have covered the rotorcraft industry fairly and in depth for about 25 years, and have openly acknowledged consulting for Sikorsky, Boeing, Kaman, and other aircraft manufacturers. When my article was written, the VXX competition was over, and I had no contractual ties to Sikorsky.

The EH101/US101 was certificated under FAR Part 29 through Amendment 27. The FAA says the additional amendments/requirements for flaw tolerance, crashworthiness and bird strike and lightning protection make modern rotorcraft safer.

The Naval Air Systems Command says its safety certification/qualification criteria for new Navy/Marine Aircraft will be equal to or tougher than the latest civil standards.

When asked how the EH 101/US101 air vehicle will be modified to meet current criteria, Lockheed officials said only NAVAIR criteria will be equal to or tougher than the latest civil standards.

When asked how the EH101/US101 air vehicle would be modified or reinforced to meet current criteria, NAVAIR explained its policy forbids discussing "vulnerability" issues. When asked the approximate weight of the structural reinforcement in the VH-71A to meet current certification criteria, NAVAIR provided no response. Though NAVAIR said in January that much solid engineering work had been done on the EH101/US101 tail rotor, Canadian news reports in May said CH-149/EH101 maintenance officers still could not explain the rapid failure of tail rotor hub halves.

When asked to describe differences between VXX Increment 1 and Increment 2, Lockheed officials said changes would be limited to more powerful engines. NAVAIR viewgraphs subsequently showed VXX Increment 2 with new rotor blades, a refined tail rotor and other structural changes.

I do care deeply about helicopters and the people who fly them. If the VH-71A gives the president of the United States and HMX-1 aircrews the safest possible aircraft on schedule and within budget, I will be delighted. If not, we all should be asking questions.

Frank Colucci

Camden N.J.