On 6 April 2009 the proposed Defense budget announced by Defense Secretary Robert Gates had not included funding for the VH-71. On 1 June 2009, the U.S. Navy announced that the contract was officially canceled, and that remaining funds were to be reinvested in upgrades to the existing fleet of VH-3D and VH-60N helicopters.
On April 6, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates' budget proposal did not include funding for the VH-71. On June 1, 2009, the U.S. Navy canceled the contract and redirected funds to improve the existing VH-3D and VH-60N helicopter fleet.