Home Americas Sikorsky gets $478M for another five VH-92A presidential helicopters

Sikorsky gets $478M for another five VH-92A presidential helicopters

VH-92A
Photo: Lockheed Martin

The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Sikorsky a $478.6 million contract modification for the delivery of five VH-92A helicopters.

VH-92A is the new presidential helicopter based on Sikorsky’s S-92A aircraft. The new helicopter is replacing the current presidential helicopters, VH-3D and VH-60N, that have been serving over 40 years.

Sikorsky is to begin deliveries of the first aircraft in 2021 as part of the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. The remaining production aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2022 and 2023.

Sikorsky received a first contract for the program in June 2019 to build six VH-92A aircraft. In February 2020, it received $470.8 million contract modification for another six units. Work under the latest contract, which brought the total number of “Marine One” helicopters on order to 17, is expected to be completed by December 2023.

A total of 23 VH-92As are slated to replace the current Marine Corps fleet of 19 helicopters.

The VH-92A will increase performance and payload over the current presidential helicopters, in addition to providing enhanced crew coordination systems and communications capabilities. It will also benefit from improved availability and maintainability.