Presidential Helicopter Acquisition: Program Established Knowledge-Based Business Case and Entered System Development with Plans for Managing Challenges

Abstract : The VH-92A (formerly designated VXX) program is to develop replacement aircraft for the aging presidential helicopter fleet. It follows the VH-71 program, which was terminated in June 2009 due to cost growth, schedule delays, and a projected shortfall in system performance. For this follow-on program, the Navy s acquisition strategy has been to (1) use mature technologies and integrate them into an existing certified helicopter selected for the program and (2) limit the modifications to the selected helicopter in order to avoid a costly total aircraft recertification. The Navy plans to acquire a VH-92A fleet of 21 operational helicopters (that will also be used to perform training missions) and two test aircraft to replace the existing fleet of 19 legacy helicopters and two trainers and two testing assets. We have reported on the program since 2011.1 In 2013, the House Armed Services Committee, Tactical Air and Land Force Subcommittee requested that we continue to monitor the VH-92A presidential helicopter acquisition through a series of reviews, with each review tailored to where the program is in the acquisition process. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 subsequently mandated that we continue reporting on the program annually to the congressional defense committees. This report discusses the cost, schedule, and performance status of the program, challenges it will face in system development, and the program s adherence to acquisition best practices.