President Joe Biden embarked on his first flight Monday aboard the recently introduced VH-92A helicopter, a modern iteration of Marine One, following years of delays in the program designed to replace the aging aircraft used to transport the president and vice president.
Biden’s journey began after his arrival on Air Force One in Chicago, where he was scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention on Monday evening. The VH-92A, manufactured by Sikorsky, transported him from O’Hare International Airport to the parking lot of Chicago’s Soldier Field, a frequently used landing zone for presidential travel. This event marked a significant milestone in the two-decade-long process aimed at replacing the Vietnam-era helicopters that have been operational since the 1970s.
The initiative to acquire new helicopters was originally launched during the Bush administration in an effort to enhance communication and mission capabilities in the post-September 11, 2001 landscape. However, President Barack Obama later scrapped it due to excessive cost overruns. Renewed by the Obama administration, the new program saw the helicopter, dubbed the “Patriot” by its manufacturer, make its public appearance during the Trump administration. Problems with the secure communications system required for classified conversations and military decisions, along with a tendency to damage the White House South Lawn, led to prolonged delays.
Last year, the Marine Corps reported that the communication issues had been resolved, though it remains unclear whether the modifications to the exhaust system have entirely mitigated the risk to the White House grounds. Marine Helicopter Squadron One, responsible for operating the helicopter, has been utilizing the VH-92 helicopters for several years, conducting test flights around Washington, D.C., and transporting White House staff and security personnel. Earlier this month, the final VH-92A helicopter was delivered, bringing the fleet to 21 operational aircraft with an additional two allocated for testing, culminating in a total program cost of approximately $5 billion.
The new helicopters, based on the Sikorsky S-92 and boasting larger size and greater range compared to the older VH-3D and VH-60N models, represent a significant upgrade in the transportation capabilities for the nation’s highest office.
