Boeing will secure the licence from AgustaWestland to begin the production of an AW101 medium-lift helicopter to induct into the US Navy VXX presidential helicopter programme.

The licence includes full intellectual property, data and production rights for the aircraft in support of the VXX programme.

Boeing will be the prime contractor to build and deliver the aircraft if the company gets selected for the programme.

AgustaWestland will work as a subcontractor to Boeing to deliver a presidential helicopter to the navy.

The AW101 is a three-engine, medium-lift helicopter, which will carry out missions, including troop transport, combat search and rescue, disaster relief, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, long-range search and rescue, maritime interdiction and airborne surveillance, and area control.