President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating the addition of a helipad to the White House premises, aimed at averting damage to the South Lawn caused by the new, more potent Marine One helicopters.
The proposed helipad is intended to accommodate the VH-92A Patriot, a robust new helicopter set to replace the older VH-3D Sea King, reported the Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The exact timeline for the helipad’s installation remains uncertain. Both helicopters are products of Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE:LMT) Sikorsky division.
Something went wrong.
The decision to construct the helipad comes after years of failed attempts to modify the VH-92A to land at the White House, as per the report. Government reports dating back to at least 2018 warned that the VH-92A helicopter's engines and auxiliary power unit could damage the White House lawn.
Unlike the older VH-3D, which lands on protective boards, the newer helicopter's exhaust can scorch the ground in hot and dry conditions. The VH-92A also has a significantly higher carrying capacity, able to transport 6,200 pounds more than the VH-3D.
