Connecticut's Christopher Dodd argues helicopter should come under US arms controls
Connecticut senator Christopher Dodd, representing the home state of Sikorsky, has launched a new attack on AgustaWestland's large role in the US Navy's VXX presidential helicopter programme.
Dodd has introduced legislation that would subject the Lockheed Martin-led US101 team to the US arms export control process, following perceived security concerns raised by AgustaWestland's presence at the Iran Air Show 2005.
Dodd also argues his proposal is needed to retaliate against a claimed ban imposed by several European governments on purchases of US-made medium-lift helicopters. The legislation, which has been stalled by Dodd's opponents, could be highly problematic for the US101 production team. The transfer of all technical data related to helicopter production in Europe would have to be vetted through the time-consuming arms export licensing process. Every US101 industry partner also would be required to agree to not sign contracts or do business with any party the USA regards as a state sponsor of terrorism, such as Iran.
Lockheed counters that applying the standards of the US arms export process is a poor fit for its US101 team, which is importing the airframe and dynamic components from the UK and Italy, and developing the more sensitive mission system in the USA. Survival prospects for Dodd's proposal do not appear high.
He successfully submitted the legislation on 6 February as an amendment to the Department of State authorisation bill, but Senate's New York delegation – including senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer – immediately used parliamentary rules to block a vote on the full authorisation bill. The state department can continue to operate next year even if the authorisation bill is never passed, allowing Clinton and Schumer to continue blocking the measure perhaps indefinitely.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International