The EH101 military utility medium lift helicopter is manufactured by AgustaWestland (formerly E.H. Industries), a joint venture company formed by Agusta of Italy and the British company GKN. The EH101 is also produced in naval and civil versions. In July 2002, AgustaWestland signed an agreements with Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopters to jointly market and produce a version of the helicopter for the US market, the US101. The US101 helicopter is chosen for the US Marine One presidential transport fleet requirement.

The EH101 is the benchmark medium-lift helicopter, which is now in service with operators around the world. The three-engine EH101 is the most advanced aircraft in its category and incorporates advanced systems to provide outstanding performance. Originating from the requirements of the naval forces of both Italy and the UK, the EH101 is unique in being designed for maritime and other military missions.

       EH101 Multi-Mission Capability:

• Combat & non-combat military search and rescue. 

• Civilian search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation. 

• Mine countermeasures.

• Anti-submarine warfare.

• Onboard delivery of cargo. 

• VIP & personnel transport.

• Special Operations Forces.

• Law-enforcement missions.

  US101

  The U.S. Navy selected (January 28, 2005) the US101 for a new fleet of "Marine One" helicopters for the President of the United States.  Lockheed Martin, which leads Team US101 as prime contractor, will receive a $1.7 billion contract from the Navy for the Marine One program's systems development and demonstration phase.  The team will build and equip the US101 medium-lift helicopter to provide a safe and secure "Oval Office in the Sky" for the President. 

  Based on the current contract schedule, the first US101 ready to transport the President is expected to be available in 2009, with the entire fleet of 23 US101 delivered to the Marine One squadron by late 2014.

  For the American version of the Merlin, the US101, Lockheed Martin would build the avionics; Bell Helicopter would make the airframe; and AgustaWestland would make the drive train, rotors and gearboxes. General Electric will power the engines (CT-7-8E) of the US-101.

  KHI-01

  AgustaWestland and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) signed a license and purchase agreement in 2003 to produce and support the Japanese EH101s (designated KHI-01). KHI has established manufacturing, test flight and support facilities at its Gifu works in Japan. Fourteen utility RTM322 powered, rear-ramped variants of the EH101 have been ordered to replace the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force’s (JMSDF) fleet of Sikorsky MH-53Es and S-61s. 

  One KHI01 is built by AgustaWestland’s Yeovilton facility in the UK. Aircraft kits for the remaining 13 aircraft will be prepared by AgustaWestland in the UK with final assembly taking place in Japan. The KHI build line is due to receive the first two aircraft in the last quarter of 2005 with delivery of the first aircraft to the JDA in 2006.