Biden Flies in New Marine One as U.S. Completes VH-92A Fleet

The U.S. Marine Corps has officially received the final batch of 23 new VH-92A Patriot helicopters, marking a significant update to the presidential transport fleet. These helicopters are most commonly known as Marine One when carrying the U.S. president. The last VH-92A was delivered during a ceremony held at Sikorsky's Owego, New York facility on August 14, 2024. Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has been working on these airframes as part of a long-term effort to replace the aging VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60N White Hawks.

This milestone represents a culmination of efforts that began with the Obama administration and stretched through the Trump administration, following a series of delays related to communications systems and issues with the helicopter’s exhaust, which had previously scorched the White House South Lawn. Despite these challenges, the VH-92A has now been deemed operationally capable, marking the end of the long replacement process for the Vietnam-era helicopters.

The new VH-92A helicopters, based on the Sikorsky S-92 platform, are larger and more advanced than their predecessors, offering better performance, increased range, and enhanced communication systems. Two of the 23 helicopters will be designated for testing, while the remaining 21 will join the operational fleet. The VH-92A retains the iconic dark green and white livery of Marine One, continuing a tradition that has been in place for decades.

President Joe Biden took his inaugural flight aboard one of these new helicopters in August 2024, after arriving in Chicago on Air Force One for an event at the Democratic National Convention. This flight marked a crucial transition in the use of the VH-92A for presidential transport, as the aircraft has undergone extensive testing to ensure reliability and safety.

The VH-92A project faced delays due to technical challenges, including secure communications systems necessary for the president to conduct classified discussions and manage military operations during flights. Additionally, modifications were needed to prevent the helicopters from causing damage to grass landing zones. Nonetheless, these issues have reportedly been resolved, and the VH-92A is now ready to fully assume the role of transporting the president and other high-ranking officials. 

As these helicopters settle into service, the older VH-3D and VH-60N airframes will likely continue to operate in a limited capacity while the transition is finalized. The VH-92A marks the next chapter in Marine Helicopter Squadron One's mission, ensuring that the president can travel securely and efficiently for years to come.