Sikorsky Awarded $16M for Presidential Helicopter Upgrade
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a Lockheed Martin company, has been awarded a $16 million order to build and test new rotor blades for the VH-92A presidential helicopter program.
According to the Department of Defense announcement, the order covers material to construct and assemble main rotor blade test articles and facilities, as well as system test and evaluation support for ground and flight testing. These efforts are tied to the Navy’s VH-92A power margin increment two rotor blade design, integration, testing, and certification.
Work will be carried out across several states, with the bulk taking place in Stratford, Connecticut, where Sikorsky is based. Additional work locations include Newtown, Pennsylvania; Lynn, Massachusetts; Salt Lake City, Utah; Norcross, Georgia; Berlin, Connecticut; West Chester, Ohio; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Plainview, New York. The contract is expected to be completed by December 2027.
The Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, is managing the contracting activity. The order, issued under a previously established agreement, was not competed. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation funds for the Navy, totaling $3,639,848, will be obligated at the time of award.
The VH-92A Patriot is the presidential transport helicopter, tasked with providing worldwide vertical-lift support for the President of the United States. Built on the FAA-certified Sikorsky S-92 airframe, the VH-92A integrates a government-defined mission communications system and an executive interior.
The Marine Corps’ Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) currently operates the VH-92A as the “White Top” presidential helicopter, replacing the aging VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk.
Internationally, the Republic of Korea Air Force also employs a version of the S-92 airframe in its presidential fleet. While similar in appearance, the Korean aircraft is not identical to the U.S. Marine Corps’ VH-92A, which incorporates a tailored communications suite and additional mission-specific modifications.
The VH-92A program has faced high-profile delays in recent years, particularly as the Navy and contractors worked to resolve integration challenges involving its mission systems. This latest rotor blade development effort is aimed at increasing the helicopter’s power margin, ensuring the platform meets demanding performance standards for the presidential role.