Disputed facts on presidential helicopter.

• Author: Drake, Michael
• Position: LETTERS - Letter to the Editor

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.

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