Prez Helo to Counter New Threats

[unhappycamper]

Prez Helo to Counter New Threats

It's a shame that this program is doing so poorly, but I guess we could all see it coming. I remember covering the competition a few years ago and the pitch was that the companies would have a new plane ready in time for Bush to fly off the South Lawn in it when he leaves office in January 2009.

Wishful thinking as usual.

Our friends at Av Week sent us an interesting story on new electronic defenses that're being put on the bird:

The VH-71 presidential replacement helicopter is going to bring with it classified capabilities, as well as some slightly more visible semi-secrets.

Perhaps highest on the classified list is the helicopter's protection from electronic attack. Program officials admit to it being hardened to electromagnetic pulses (EMP) generated by nuclear explosions. But they clam up when quizzed about the Pentagon's newer threats that include high-powered microwaves (HPM) that can be generated by non-nuclear means, including suitcase-sized devices such as those manufactured by the German firm Deihl.


Rest of article at: http://www.defensetech.org/archives/004127.html?wh=wh