Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky business has delivered the 23rd and final VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopter to the US Marine Corps (USMC), the company announced on 19 August 2024.
The Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) and the USMC formally accepted the aircraft in a ceremony at Sikorsky’s facility in Owego, New York, on 14 August.
“This delivery represents a significant milestone and new chapter in the rich, 67-year history of Marines providing helicopter transport of the president of the United States,” Lieutenant General Bradford Gering, the USMC’s Deputy Commandant for Aviation, was quoted as stating in a Lockheed Martin press release. “The VH-92A Patriot brings increased capabilities for this no-fail mission supporting the Commander-in-Chief around the world,” he added.
Brigadier General David Walsh, the USMC’s programme executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault, and special mission programme, was stated in a press release from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), “This exceptional team has successfully completed the program of record for the VH-92A within budget and schedule. This helicopter not only embodies the hard work and dedication of those responsible for building and delivering the aircraft, but it will remain a recognisable patriotic asset known around the globe for safety, security, and reliability.”
The VH-92A helicopters, also called ‘White Tops’ due to their notable white and green livery, will transport the US president, vice president and other US officials.
The total inventory of 23 VH-92As will consist of 21 operational and two test aircraft: a quantity that allows for aircraft to be ready to support the executive lift mission, undergo various levels of maintenance, lifecycle upgrades and provide assets for pilot/aircrew training.
PMA-274, with approval from the US Navy, awarded Sikorsky a contract to build the VH-92A, a derivative of the commercial S-92, in May 2014. The new presidential helicopter was built to increase performance and payload over the current in-service VH-3D and VH-60N presidential helicopters. It will provide enhanced crew co-ordination systems and communications capabilities in addition to improving availability and maintainability.
The USMC is currently working with the White House Military Office, PMA-274 and Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) to ensure the conditions are set for a successful transition from the VH-3D and VH-60N to the VH-92A. According to NAVAIR there are currently10 VH-3Ds, six VH-60Ns and nine VH-92As that support various missions assigned to HMX-1.
Lockheed Martin noted in its press release that Sikorsky helicopters have flown every US president since 1957.
