Next-Gen Marine One Makes Operational Debut

President Joe Biden flew on the Sikorsky VH-92A from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD) to the location of the Democratic National Convention.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 01:43 PM ET

Verified

Presidential Helicopters Program Office and the U.S. Marine Corps accepted delivery of the final VH-92A Patriot helicopter in August for a total inventory of 23 aircraft. [Courtesy: Naval Air Systems Command/ Owen Hoffmann]

Key Takeaways:

Sikorsky's new VH-92A helicopter officially debuted as Marine One, transporting President Joe Biden from Chicago O’Hare.
The program to replace the previous presidential helicopters suffered two decades of delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges since its inception after 9/11.
Issues encountered during development included problems with secure communications and the helicopter's exhaust scorching the White House South Lawn.

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Sikorsky’s long-awaited modified presidential VH-92A made its debut as Marine One on Monday, as it transported President Joe Biden from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD) to the parking lot adjacent to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, site of the Democratic National Convention.

The development program that led to the helicopter’s entry into service has been plagued by two decades of delays in replacing the previous Vietnam-era helicopters assigned to the presidential mission.