US presidential helicopter 50 percent over budget

Lockheed Martin Corp's high-profile VH-71 presidential helicopter program, designed to work in a pinch as a White House in the sky, has surged more than 50 percent over budget, the U.S. Navy said on Thursday.

As a result of such cost growth, the Defense Department either must end the program or certify that it is essential for national security and meets three other tests established by law.

The Navy notified Congress of the problem on Wednesday, as required by the so-called Nunn-McCurdy procurement law that can force cancellation of an arms program if unit-cost growth tops certain levels, Navy spokesman Lt. Clay Doss said.

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