The award announced February 5, 2021 by the U.S. Navy for five aircraft is the final lot of VH-92A presidential helicopters set to deliver in 2023. Sikorsky’s highly skilled workforce is completing final modifications on 12 of the production aircraft at its manufacturing facility in Stratford, Connecticut and Owego, New York.
“This contract to build more presidential helicopters shows our customer values Sikorsky’s proven record of supporting this no fail mission for decades and is confident in our ability to innovate and deliver this next generation aircraft flying the president well into the future,” said Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo. “This aircraft has a special place in the hearts of our employees who treasure the legacy and look forward to watching the new White Top enter service.”
“The program remains on budget and within our planned aircraft delivery schedule," said Col. Eric Ropella, PMA-274 presidential helicopter program manager. "The award of this last lot of VH-92A aircraft solidifies the importance of the Marine Corps no-fail mission especially as we move into the next phase of government testing this year.”
Building New Aircraft and Continuing the Legacy
The VH-92A will transport the president and vice president of the United States and other officials. Sikorsky brings unmatched experience and a proven track record to this mission having flown every U.S. commander-in-chief since President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The VH-92A, also called a “White Top” due to its notable white and green livery, will continue this legacy for decades to come.
The VH-92A program ensures long-term affordability and maintainability by utilizing the FAA certified Sikorsky S-92 aircraft which has industry leading reliability and availability. The S-92 aircraft is modified for the VH-92A mission based on government-defined requirements. The S-92 fleet surpassed 1.7 million flight hours in 2020 and averages 14,400 hours of safe flight per month.
VH-92A is a registered trademark of the Department of the Navy.
About Lockheed Martin: Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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| Let’s put some of this work in Coatesville! |
| Absolutely beautiful |
| I would LOVE if the new Defiant Sikorsky helicopter will one day become one of the next Presidential Helo’s! |
| I think the roof to floor dimension would be a very limiting factor as with the Blackhawk |
| I thought that EH101 was the new Presidential helicopter ! |
| Sssh, they claimed it was too expensive and too European, not all American like Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky |
| Does the S-92 still burn the Whitehouse lawn? |
| Touring the facility in Yeovil many years ago now, I remember behind the security fences seeing the 101 presidential helicopters being built. Politics at work - (can’t have an European aircraft used for the President), along with cost cutting measures meant it was cancelled, when it is very well suited to being a Heli-liner along with proven success in areas of conflict. |
| what possible difference do you think that will make? Westlands have never produced a helicopter, industry or the military come to that - that wasn’t a political hash. If it wasn’t for Agusta it would have gone long ago. |
| Not the first time politics have changed the course of a contract, and not for the better solution... |
| Makes you wonder what our Helicopter choices will be now we have left the EU?? |
| Turned out to be quite a rugged bit of kit. |
| Finally.... |
| When you consider it was 16 years ago and during President GW Bush’s time that a replacement was ordered - it just goes to show that they should have ordered the S92 in the first place. |
| Nah ,the S92A is the best aircraft I have ever flown, it’s history speaks for itself, I’ve always said if it had a 5th main rotor blade it would be unbeatable. The VH 71 was binned for several very good reasons but in the main because it’s development was subject to massive delays, cost overruns, and engineering issues. The deal was placed on hold by US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, prior to him canceling it because of a vast overspend cost; had it not been cancelled the deal worked out as over $13 billion for the aircraft. Hope you are keeping well mate? |
| They did, the 101 beat the 92 and others but Obama Cx the order to save money if I recall. The 101 better a/c for that role than the 92. |
See also |
VH-92A in
US Marine Corps HMX-1
Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 US Marine Corps Five Marine One VH-92A Lot III Ordered
