White House to Build Granite Helipad for New Presidential Chopper

The White House is set to construct a granite helipad on the South Lawn to accommodate the powerful new VH-92A Patriot helicopter. President Donald Trump announced that Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary and manufacturer of the VH-92A, will cover the estimated $5 million to $6 million construction costs. The decision comes after years of delays due to concerns about the intense exhaust heat and rotor wash generated by the new aircraft damaging the grassy landing area.

Trump highlighted that the current helicopters used for presidential transport, including the aging VH-3D Sea Kings, have been in service for nearly 40 years and are set to be retired this year. The installation of a permanent helipad is seen as necessary to protect the South Lawn from potential damage caused by the more powerful VH-92A during landings. Satellite imagery reveals that construction on the new landing pad has already begun, with work progressing rapidly.

The issue arose when test flights of the VH-92A revealed significant wear and tear on the grassy area due to its increased power output compared to older models. Trump emphasized that the old helicopters were simply not equipped to handle such robust performance specifications, leading to scattered patches of damaged turf during landings. The president argued that continuing to use both old and new aircraft would be an impractical and costly solution for presidential transportation.

While the impact on foreign travel remains uncertain, as large fields are typically used for landing zones abroad, the permanent installation at the White House aims to ensure a safe and effective operational base for the VH-92A.