TheSikorsky/Lockheed Martin VH-92 Patriot[4] is an American helicopter operated in theUnited States Marine Corps'Marine One U.S. presidential transport fleet. It is a militarized variant of theSikorsky S-92 and is larger than the former Marine One helicopters.[5]
Sikorsky entered the VH-92 variant of theS-92 into theVXX competition for U.S. presidential helicopterMarine One (replacing the SikorskyVH-3D Sea King andVH-60N White Hawk), but lost to theLockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel.[6][7] However, the competition was restarted in 2010 due to ballooning VH-71 development costs, allowing Sikorsky to resubmit the VH-92 in April 2010.[8] By mid-2013, all other aircraft manufacturers had dropped out of the contest, leaving only Sikorsky.[9]
On 7 May 2014, it was announced that the VH-92 had won the restarted VXX competition.[10] In May 2014, Sikorsky was awarded aUS$1.24 billion contract to produce the VH-92, which is outfitted with an executive interior and military mission support systems, including triple electrical power and redundant flight controls. Six of the variant, designated VH-92A,[11] were ordered by the U.S. Navy for delivery in 2017.[12] Production of a further 17 aircraft was planned[needs update] to begin in 2020.[11][13] The total FY2015 program cost is $4.718 billion for 23 helicopters, at an average cost of $205M per aircraft.[14] In July 2016, the design passed itsCritical Design Review, clearing it for production.[15]
A developmental VH-92A helicopter conducts landing and take-off testing at the White House South Lawn in front of theWashington Monument in September 2018
On 28 July 2017, the first VH-92A performed its maiden flight at Sikorsky'sStratford, Connecticut facility.[2][3] On 22 September 2018, a VH-92 was flown to theWhite House for take-off and landing tests at spots used for Marine One.[16]
In late November 2021, Pentagon officials noted the aircraft was "failing to meet the reliability, availability or maintainability threshold requirements" and that it had damaged landing zones with its exhaust and fuel leaks during test flights. The VH-92 had not yet entered service carrying VIPs.[17]
On 28 December 2021, the VH-92 achieved its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) milestone.[18] However, the aircraft, named "Patriot" in 2022, was still unable to transport the president or vice president due to issues with its encrypted communications systems and its tendency to scorch the South Lawn of the White House.[4]
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