White House lawn to get $6 million Lockheed-funded helipad for Marine One

Key facts

• A permanent helipad is being installed on the White House South Lawn.
• Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is funding the project.
• The helipad is expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million.
• The new helipad is designed to withstand the impact of newer, more powerful Marine One helicopters.
• Helicopter landings at the White House South Lawn date back to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The White House South Lawn is undergoing construction to install a permanent helipad for Marine One landings. President Donald Trump confirmed that Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is funding the project, which is expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million.

Trump stated that the new granite helipad is necessary because the newer fleet of Marine One helicopters, operated by Sikorsky, is significantly more powerful than the previous models. He explained that landing on the grass would rip it out, necessitating a dedicated landing surface. The helipad will reportedly feature the White House seal.

A Sikorsky spokesperson confirmed the contribution to the National Park Service, noting that the VH-92A Patriot model offers increased performance and reduced maintenance costs. While Sikorsky and Lockheed spokespeople did not disclose the project's cost or timeline, recent photos indicate construction is underway.

Helicopter transport from the White House South Lawn began with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957, providing a faster alternative to motorcades. The presidential helicopter service is known as Marine One, operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). Historically, temporary landing disks were used instead of a permanent helipad.