- Jul 25, 2002
- 10,053
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Lawmakers Cry Foul . . .
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Seething over Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft's loss of a $6.1 billion presidential helicopter contract, Connecticut political leaders called on President Bush to reconsider the government's decision and threatened a legislative fight in Congress.
The Navy on Friday awarded the prestigious contract to an aerospace consortium that is led by Lockheed Martin and includes Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth and AgustaWestland of Italy.
The decision capped an intense battle and ended Sikorsky's half-century-long claim on the presidential helicopter business.
"I was -- I am -- at a loss to understand this decision," Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell wrote in a letter to Bush, demanding a full explanation from the Defense Department and calling on the Navy to reconsider the decision.
Navy Secretary Gordon England, a former Fort Worth aerospace executive and TCU alumnus, said through a spokesman that he would be willing to meet with Connecticut lawmakers, although reversal of the decision appears remote.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat, requested the meeting on behalf of the state's congressional delegation. Led by Democratic Sens. Joe Lieberman and Christopher Dodd, Connecticut lawmakers assailed the Navy decision for sending presidential helicopter work overseas. Roughly one-third of the work on the next-generation copter will be performed in Italy and Britain.
DeLauro vowed to introduce legislation requiring that presidential helicopters be made solely in the United States.
"In awarding this contract not to Sikorsky but Lockheed, the administration has shown that it has no faith in American business or American workers," she said.
White House spokesman Taylor Gross referred media questions to the Defense Department.
Supporters of the Lockheed Martin-led team, including congressional delegations in New York, Texas and other states where the work will be performed, have vigorously defended the decision.
"We enjoyed a spirited competition, but that's now behind us, and it's time to get to work building helicopters the president urgently needs," said Lockheed Martin spokesman Mike Drake.
Bell and AgustaWestland will jointly build the 23 US-101 helicopters, with Bell assembling the aircraft in Amarillo from components made in the United States, Italy and Britain. Lockheed, the prime contractor, will install the sophisticated electronic communications and defense systems in Owego, N.Y. A portion of the classified work will also be performed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth.
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Seething over Connecticut-based Sikorsky Aircraft's loss of a $6.1 billion presidential helicopter contract, Connecticut political leaders called on President Bush to reconsider the government's decision and threatened a legislative fight in Congress.
The Navy on Friday awarded the prestigious contract to an aerospace consortium that is led by Lockheed Martin and includes Bell Helicopter of Fort Worth and AgustaWestland of Italy.
The decision capped an intense battle and ended Sikorsky's half-century-long claim on the presidential helicopter business.
"I was -- I am -- at a loss to understand this decision," Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell wrote in a letter to Bush, demanding a full explanation from the Defense Department and calling on the Navy to reconsider the decision.
Navy Secretary Gordon England, a former Fort Worth aerospace executive and TCU alumnus, said through a spokesman that he would be willing to meet with Connecticut lawmakers, although reversal of the decision appears remote.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat, requested the meeting on behalf of the state's congressional delegation. Led by Democratic Sens. Joe Lieberman and Christopher Dodd, Connecticut lawmakers assailed the Navy decision for sending presidential helicopter work overseas. Roughly one-third of the work on the next-generation copter will be performed in Italy and Britain.
DeLauro vowed to introduce legislation requiring that presidential helicopters be made solely in the United States.
"In awarding this contract not to Sikorsky but Lockheed, the administration has shown that it has no faith in American business or American workers," she said.
White House spokesman Taylor Gross referred media questions to the Defense Department.
Supporters of the Lockheed Martin-led team, including congressional delegations in New York, Texas and other states where the work will be performed, have vigorously defended the decision.
"We enjoyed a spirited competition, but that's now behind us, and it's time to get to work building helicopters the president urgently needs," said Lockheed Martin spokesman Mike Drake.
Bell and AgustaWestland will jointly build the 23 US-101 helicopters, with Bell assembling the aircraft in Amarillo from components made in the United States, Italy and Britain. Lockheed, the prime contractor, will install the sophisticated electronic communications and defense systems in Owego, N.Y. A portion of the classified work will also be performed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth.
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