On the Record with AMEDEO CAPORALETTI, CEO, AGUSTAWESTLAND
First the Coast Guard, White House Next?
AgustaWestland surprised the world by getting the U.S. Coast Guard
nod for nearly three-dozen AB139 helicopters for its Deepwater program.
Now the European group is shooting for far higher U.S. visibility,
bidding to provide lift for the U.S. president himself-Mr. Bush
or his successor-via a Marine Corps solicitation to be floated later
this year.
AgustaWestland, via Lockheed Martin, will offer the US101 variant
of the EH101.
For rival Sikorsky, the historical provider of presidential helos,
it's a win-at-all-costs matter of prestige. For the AgustaWestland-Lockheed
team?
"First of all, we believe the US101 is the right choice,"
says AgustaWestland CEO Amedeo Caporaletti. "If the White House
wants to replace their 40 plus year-old fleet within the next few
years, we have the best possible aircraft.
"The US101 R&D is paid, the aircraft has a great growth
potential, a large cabin, and is available now. The EH101 has more
than 36,000 flying hours and that number is increasing every day.
How Does AgustaWestland Do It?
AgustaWestland is prospering, maintaining sales and earnings,
as others struggle. How? Via "a complete range of integrated
platform systems, customer care and a collaborative network
of international alliances meeting market demand," says
CEO Amedeo Caporaletti.
AgustaWestland, he says, brings together the technical and
commercial experience of its Italian and British partners.
The company has "fully proved the merger underlying business
logic by immediately achieving all its goals and delivering
outstanding results in 2001 and 2002."
Don't Forget the NH 90
Agusta, whether alone or with partners, offers a wide range
of helicopters, including the Lynx, A109, A119 Koala, A129,
AB139, BA609 and EH101. AgustaWestland CEO Amedeo Caporaletti
wants people to remember its participation on the NH 90 helicopter
too.
"We are participating the program with a 32% share
and we are the responsible of the naval mission system development
for all the participant countries," he says. "We
have our own assembly and delivery line."
"No other helicopter has our flight record," Caporaletti
says. "When you're providing transportation for the president
of the United States, you need the best. The US101 is the best."
The joint venture company established with Bell will act as a
subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, which, Caporaletti explains, "as
prime contractor and systems integrator, will have overall responsibility
for the program and delivery of the US101 helicopter to the customer."
The selection of Bell, an Agusta partner on aircraft including the
BA609 tiltrotor, follows the naming of Lockheed Martin as prime
contractor and systems integrator for US101 last year.
"Lockheed Martin, Bell and dozens of subcontractors will
provide significant employment throughout the United States,"
Caporaletti says, noting that the US101 will contain over 65% American
content.
The joint venture company, with mission customization, systems
integration, and final aircraft delivery being accomplished at Lockheed
Martin's Owego facility, will manufacture the basic aircraft. "We
estimate the total U.S.-government market at 300 to 400 helos,"
Caporaletti says.
He says AgustaWestland is confident in other U.S. markets too.
"We are more than well enough known," he told Show News.
"AgustaWestland is an established player. The commercial success
of the A109 and A119 family, with A119 contracts awarded by the
Pennsylvania and New York State police, are all further confirmations
of our capability to answer market demands.
"Moreover, our capability to support our customers through
the Customer Care organization, which was classified in the U.S.
second only to Bell for the second year in a row, is another competitive
advantage."
