Last of the 23 VH-92A Patriots Delivered

[Snoop 95]

The USMC has received the last of the order for 23 Presidential transport helo's from Sikorski
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/sikorsk ... elicopter/

[NorvilleRogers]

Was this not last August and already a topic here?

viewtopic.php?f=287&t=246873&p=1616106& ... A#p1616106

[sschofield]

Was this not last August and already a topic here?

viewtopic.php?f=287&t=246873&p=1616106& ... A#p1616106

Yes. The date on the linked article is August 2024.

[Crusty]

Hold on, I prez..1 vice prez and they have 23 large helicopters at their personal disposal?...Gordon Bennet!!, I thought our bunch of politicos and royals took the pee

[Vulcanone]

Hold on, I prez..1 vice prez and they have 23 large helicopters at their personal disposal?...Gordon Bennet!!, I thought our bunch of politicos and royals took the pee

Not like they go to one place only is it.... Like the D-Day celebrations when they have had VH-3s etc here and VH-60s etc in France. And rotating the fleet, on going mods to any of that 23 will soon rack up. And I bet some of the VH-3/VH-60s have been stored as well

Just a thought

[raptor9]

Out 'Politicos and Royals'] . I think that you will find that they have far less bizjets and long range jets at their disposal than most small European countries.

[Snoop 95]

Out 'Politicos and Royals'] . I think that you will find that they have far less bizjets and long range jets at their disposal than most small European countries.

Have to say that I found it very uncomfortable in past years when there was some international gathering and those from other countries turned up in nationally marked jets (of various sizes) and our delegation, or the Royals, arrived in an anonymous chartered jet or prop.

[NorvilleRogers]

Out 'Politicos and Royals'] . I think that you will find that they have far less bizjets and long range jets at their disposal than most small European countries.

Have to say that I found it very uncomfortable in past years when there was some international gathering and those from other countries turned up in nationally marked jets (of various sizes) and our delegation, or the Royals, arrived in an anonymous chartered jet or prop.

The UK has nationally marked A330 , A321 and 2 x Falcon 900. Hope that makes you more comfortable.

[Doughnut]

Regards the VH-92 replacing the VH-3/VH-60. How will the VH-92 get to overseas destinations, the new heli is big thing, is it air transportable in C-17 or will they need to use the C-5. The Ospreys are air refuelable don't think that an option on the VH-92 ? Maybe they will keep the VH-60 in service for overseas use ?

[Professor_M]

Regards the VH-92 replacing the VH-3/VH-60. How will the VH-92 get to overseas destinations, the new heli is big thing, is it air transportable in C-17 or will they need to use the C-5. The Ospreys are air refuelable don't think that an option on the VH-92 ? Maybe they will keep the VH-60 in service for overseas use ?

A VH-92 appeared at Prestwick in June having been flown in and out by C-17. It was related to Biden's visit to France.

[Thunder]

You can get a single CH-47 inside a C-17, so a VH92 shouldn’t be a problem. I would imagine that was part of of the original stipulations for it to be air transportable.

[raptor9]

No, it doesn't make me more comfortable, because I knew about those anyway.. I am astonished that the impression some people give is that Royals, Prime Minister etc., together with their necessary security people etc., should be expected to travel by Easyjet or similar!. However, if you play football for Newcastle, you have to take a chartered Boeing 737 for a match against Liverpool, just a little down the road!! Guess that's ok then!. My original post still stands.

[EGDR]

Hold on, I prez..1 vice prez and they have 23 large helicopters at their personal disposal?...Gordon Bennet!!, I thought our bunch of politicos and royals took the pee

In addition to having to provide at least 2 helicopters in D.C for POTUS and VPOTUS, they also have to provide 2 at each stop on any journey POTUS makes, plus contingency spares. They are also called upon to transport foreign heads of state when visiting the US as well as other senior US, particularly DoD, officials. Then account for a number permanently being out of service for periodic maintenance, plus trials and training. It is an incredible amount but given the standard procedures that exist for US VIP travel (vehicles, fixed wing aircraft, security teams) the number makes sense.

[Crusty]

Hold on, I prez..1 vice prez and they have 23 large helicopters at their personal disposal?...Gordon Bennet!!, I thought our bunch of politicos and royals took the pee

In addition to having to provide at least 2 helicopters in D.C for POTUS and VPOTUS, they also have to provide 2 at each stop on any journey POTUS makes, plus contingency spares. They are also called upon to transport foreign heads of state when visiting the US as well as other senior US, particularly DoD, officials. Then account for a number permanently being out of service for periodic maintenance, plus trials and training. It is an incredible amount but given the standard procedures that exist for US VIP travel (vehicles, fixed wing aircraft, security teams) the number makes sense.

You can explain away any number of assets, but I wouldnt go as far as to say it makes sense

[Nighthawke]

It does make sense as per the explanation. Understanding is another thing.

[Precinct7]

meanwhile the RAF have retired there only dedicated VIP helicopter A109 GZ100 32 sq Northolt
went back to Slone Helicopter at Sywell in December no replacement

[pg1610]

meanwhile the RAF have retired there only dedicated VIP helicopter A109 GZ100 32 sq Northolt
went back to Slone Helicopter at Sywell in December no replacement

Far more cost effective to hire in civil aircraft as required

As for royal flight new aircraft are due if not already delivered to replace the S76

The UK can no longer afford the costs involved in dedicated VIP transport

And as the poster intended by football charters,football clubs are private businesses so can do whatever they want to and has no relevance to this discussion, and

[ColoradoRedlands]

US President Jimmy Carter was concerned about the appearance of a large VIP fleet at Andrews, so to remedy that he had the "V" dropped from the aircraft designation from all aircraft except the two VC-137(s). Nothing else changed. From that point on the USAF could report that they own only two VIP aircraft.

[Ravendriver2008]

meanwhile the RAF have retired there only dedicated VIP helicopter A109 GZ100 32 sq Northolt
went back to Slone Helicopter at Sywell in December no replacement

Far more cost effective to hire in civil aircraft as required

As for royal flight new aircraft are due if not already delivered to replace the S76

The UK can no longer afford the costs involved in dedicated VIP transport

And as the poster intended by football charters,football clubs are private businesses so can do whatever they want to and has no relevance to this discussion, and

The two Leonardo AW139 replacing The Kings Flight , are undergoing pre delivery testing at Verigiate (Leonardo plant) ..

cheers