Ok, what does that say about the Harrier? It is a foreign designed airplane that has found a nice niche with the USMC. Also, the USCG flys three types of foreign designed aircraft; the French Falcon, AS 365 (HH-65) and Agusta A.109 (MH-68 Stingray). The US-101 isn’t setting any kind of precedent here. My opinion, doesn’t make a hill of beans whether our armed services use them or tote the CiC to his official shin-digs. As long as it’s safe, gets the job done and won’t eat up a Godly amount in tax dollars to maintain it, big deal if it is Foreign designed. Besides everyone keeps missing the point that some of the US-101 will be produced here.
I believe the idea of a VH-53 was kicked around years ago, but, was shot down due to the fact that it was too just big to land at the White House. Which is also the reason one won’t see a VH-22 as well.
A lot weapons systems are made overseas by our allies. As AH1WSnake pointed out, a lot of the avionics systems were developed and made in Israel…for example, ALQ-144 system and the LITENING Pod. The AV-8B has been around for years (half the fuselage was actually built in the UK) and may be a pain in the butt to support during peacetime but is an excellent weapons platform during combat ops. Comparing MC/FMC rates during OIF I, the Harriers had better readiness than USMC Hornet squadrons. Bottomline, the military chose the design and I’m positive that it’ll be safe for our President.
Semper Fi!
Carl
Just new here but think of this,for over40 years our Royal Family have been flown around in British made copies of US choppers first the Whirlwind and then the Wessex and now chartered S76s so fair exchange now the President has a US built British design.