Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has been awarded a $470.8 million contract modification that exercises options for the procurement of six low rate initial production lot II VH-92A aircraft.
The contract modification comes after the US Navy awarded the company a $542 million contract in June 2019 to build six VH-92A aircraft, spares and support equipment.
Sikorsky is to begin deliveries of the first aircraft in 2021 as part of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. The remaining production aircraft will be delivered in 2022 and 2023.
The VH-92A aircraft will increase performance and payload over the current presidential helicopters, VH-3D and VH-60N, that have been serving over 40 years. The VH-92A will provide enhanced crew coordination systems and communications capabilities, plus improve availability and maintainability.
The new presidential helicopter is based on Sikorsky’s S-92A commercial aircraft. Assembled in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, the aircraft are being modified to include integration of government-defined missions systems and an executive interior.
A total of 23 VH-92As are slated to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of 19 helicopters.
