The EH101 traces back to 1977 when the UK MoD (Navy) begun the SKR (Sea King Replacement) program.
Designed as a joint venture between Westland (UK) who developed the original WG34
design on which the EH101 is based and Agusta (Italy).
A new company called E.H.I. (Elicottero Helicopter Industries) was established between the two partners in 1980
to manage the project.
The EH101 was built in two main versions: transport/assault/SAR for air forces and in a navalized variant.
On January 28, 2005 an US built variant known as the US101
was selected in the
VXX program,
to provide the U.S. Marine Corps with a new Presidential Helicopter Replacement. More than 200 suppliers in
41 states support Team US101,
led by Lockheed Martin with teammates Agusta Westland and Bell Helicopter Textron.
Suppliers include some of America's leading aerospace companies, such as General Electric, ITT,
Northrop Grumman, Kaman Aerospace and Palomar Products.
The first VH-71A Kestrel ready to transport the President
is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet of 23 US101 delivered to the Marine One squadron
by late 2014.
The US101, was also competing for the US Air Force’s CSAR-X combat search-and-rescue requirement,
in will presumably become the MH-71B, but the program
was awarded to the Boeing HH-47
Engines: 3 x RTM 322 turboshafts (2,100 hp) or 3 x GE CT7-6 turboshafts (2,000 hp) Speed : Max 309 km/h Range: 1130 Km Weight: Max: 14500 Kg Rotor Span: 18.59 m Length: 22.81 m
