Billion-Dollar Beasts: Exploring the Most Expensive Military Vehicles to Ever Hit the Battlefield

6. Kestrel VH-71

Overview of the VH-71 Kestrel Joined the Service: 2007 Producer: Lockheed Martin (in collaboration with AgustaWestland and Bell Helicopter) Price: *$241 million per unit Project Details Initial Purpose: Designed to replace the Marine One Presidential Transport Fleet. First Flight: The VH-71 Kestrel made its inaugural flight in 2007. Project Abandonment: The program was canceled in 2009 due to excessive costs, with a total projected expenditure of $13 billion for 28 helicopters.

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VH-71 Kestrel: Additional Insights Previous Marketing: Before Lockheed Martin's acquisition, the VH-71 Kestrel was marketed as the US101. Cancellation Reasons: Following the project's cancellation, Lockheed Martin attributed the high costs to the government's demands for unexpected and costly modifications that were not part of the original Request for Proposal (RFP). Current Opportunities USAF Contracts: There are currently two USAF contracts that could potentially involve the US101/Martin One: CSAR-X Project: Aimed at acquiring 141 combat search and rescue (CSAR) aircraft. Boeing initially won this contract with its HH-47 but later lost it for unclear reasons. Common Vertical Life Support Program (CVLSP): This competition requires 70 aircraft.