The VH-92A will replace two current presidential helicopters, the VH-3D and the VH-60N.
On Jun. 10, 2019 Sikorsky has received a $542 million contract to build six low-rate initial production VH-92A presidential helicopters.
Work is expected to be completed in April 2022, the Pentagon says.
The contract was announced by the Programme Executive Office for Assault and Special Missions and involves, besides the six helicopters, also spares and support equipment.
According to Scramble Facebook News Magazine, the VH-92A will replace two current presidential helicopter types, the VH-3D and the VH-60N. The VH-92A test program will continue to validate system performance. The initial operational test and evaluation phase is planned for mid-2020 and initial operational capability (IOC) in late 2020. Deliveries of in total 23 aircraft will continue up to 2023.
The VH-92A presidential helicopter has made its maiden flight on Jul. 28, 2017 at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Connecticut.
The VH-92A aircraft is based on Sikorsky’s successful and FAA-certified S-92A commercial aircraft. The S-92A aircraft, assembled in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, is being modified to include integration of government-defined missions systems and an executive interior.
The VH-92A will transport the president and vice president of the United States and other officials. The helicopter will feature the distinctive call sign “Marine One” which identifies any United States Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft carrying the President of the United States (while a USMC aircraft carrying the Vice President has the call sign Marine Two).
Photo credit: Sgt. Hunter Helis / U.S. Marine Corps
