US President Joe Biden has finally taken a flight aboard the VH-92A, the new presidential helicopter supplied by Sikorsky.
On Monday, Biden boarded the aircraft at O’Hare Airport in Chicago and flew it to the parking lot of Soldier Field.
The inaugural flight occurred at the same time that Sikorsky celebrated the delivery of the 23rd and final VH-92A Patriot helicopter to the U.S. Marine Corps.
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The aircraft won the VXX competition in 2014, which aims to replace the US presidential helicopters, also called “Marine One”, the VH-3D Sea King and the VH60N White Hawk.
The first production helicopter was delivered in 2021, but development issues prevent the VH-92A from being used as “Marine One,” the rotary-wing aircraft that transports the president.
The first involved the communications system, but another reason is that the VH-92A’s turboshaft engines damage the White House lawn.
Although he has flown on the aircraft, it is still unclear whether Biden will be able to board the VH-92A from the White House lawn.
Provider of the U.S. presidential helicopter since 1957
According to the Navy, “The VH-92A Patriot is in the midst of a phased plan to ensure a smooth, safe, and timely transition from the legacy VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft.”
VH-92As, on the other hand, serve various government officials. Of the 23 aircraft, 21 are operational and the remaining two are for testing.
“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. The VH-92A Patriot brings increased capabilities for this no-fail mission supporting the Commander-in-Chief around the world,” said Lieutenant General Bradford Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation. “Sikorsky’s contribution to Marine Aviation has enabled your United States Marine Corps to be a ready and lethal fighting force.”
Sikorsky has been the supplier of US presidential helicopters since 1957, and the VH-92A followed that tradition by being based on the civilian S-92 model.
The choice of helicopter, however, almost didn’t happen. Originally, the Marines awarded the winning bid to the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel, a variant based on the AW101 model from Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland).
However, the high costs of the project ultimately made its acquisition unfeasible. Interestingly, Lockheed Martin ended up acquiring Sikorsky in 2015.
