WASHINGTON, DC—Connecticut representatives Rosa DeLauro and John Larson released the following statement today congratulating the Sikorsky/Lockheed team for being awarded the contract for the next presidential helicopter.

“Sikorsky has long been synonymous with Marine One, the presidential helicopter,” DeLauro said. “Every president since Eisenhower has flown in a Sikorsky, made right in Connecticut. I am thrilled to see this contract come back to Stratford where it has always belonged and where it should have gone in the first place. Congratulations to the dedicated men and women who make the best helicopters in the world.”

“I commend the announcement that Sikorsky Aircraft will once again be producing the Presidential Helicopter,” said Larson. “This contract is a testament to the hard working men and women at Sikorsky. A part of our nation’s history, this helicopter is a great source of pride for Connecticut manufacturing. I look forward to seeing the President fly in a helicopter produced by Connecticut machinists who are once again building a part of our nation’s history."

Today’s winning bid replaces the failed VH-71 program, which was plagued by excessive cost overruns and schedule delays. That contract, awarded in 2005, based the new presidential helicopter on the EH-101, a helicopter produced by the joint British-Italian venture of AugustaWestland. The Department of Defense ultimately decided to end the program and to re-bid the contract, which DeLauro had long called for.