05-20-2024, 03:51 PM
Ombligo wrote:
[quote=Lemon Drop] was a 26 year old helicopter, at least. Carrying a head of state in difficult flying conditions.
Marine-1, the Sikorsky VH-3d (a varient of the Sea King) has been in service transport the President of the the United states since 1976 - 48 years.
The replacement, a Sikorsky VH-92A, has not been certified to fly the President or Vice President because it lacks an encrypted communications system.
All of POTUS' transport vehicles including the Boeing planes have custom replacement parts made for them when needed, and top notch maintenance. Obama was flying around in an older jet.
That is required when these older flying machines are in continued use by the government.
It will be interesting to see if preventable mechanical failure led to the death of Iran's president.