Contractors Prep 4th VH-71 for Tests

Lockheed Martin has begun integrating mission systems aboard a second VH-71 test vehicle at its Presidential Helicopter Integration Facility in Owego, N.Y. Four aircraft, based on AgustaWestland's EH101 (now AW101) and built at its plant in Yeovil, England, are in the test program. Two are in flight test at NAS Patuxent River, Md. Two are to be equipped with mission systems that will enable the VH-71's use as a command and control platform by the U.S. president.  Following integration of advanced communications systems, the recently arrived helicopter (Test Vehicle 4, or TV-4) is to be used to validate the in-flight performance of systems previously evaluated in laboratories.  TV-3 also is undergoing integration in Owego. For related news