The presidential helicopter completed its maiden flight in 2017, but a Pentagon report later found it unfit for emergency use, casting uncertainty over its rollout timeline.
Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky disclosed that the VH-92A presidential helicopter made its maiden flight on July 28, 2017, at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Connecticut, marking the start of a 250-hour flight test program to be conducted at Lockheed Martin facilities in Owego, New York. Two one-hour sorties were completed that day, during which Engineering Development Model 1 (EDM-1) performed hovering control checks, low-speed flight, and an airfield pass.
“This first flight of the VH-92A configured test aircraft is an important milestone for the program,” said Spencer Elani, director of the VH-92A program at Sikorsky. A second test aircraft, EDM-2, was on track for its first flight later that year.
The VH-92A is based on Sikorsky’s FAA-certified S-92A commercial platform — assembled in Coatesville, Pennsylvania — modified to integrate government-defined mission systems and an executive interior. The U.S. Navy had awarded a $1.24 billion fixed-price incentive Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to Sikorsky on May 7, 2014, covering two test aircraft and four production aircraft, with options for 17 additional units. Sikorsky brought to the programme a legacy of flying every U.S. commander-in-chief since President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aircraft was originally slated to enter service in 2020, in time for the winner of that year’s presidential election. Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky were given the go-ahead to begin production in June 2019, and a test model landed on the White House lawn that same month. Under a Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lot II contract, Sikorsky was expected to begin delivering six VH-92A helicopters in 2022, with remaining production aircraft to follow through 2023.
However, President Biden’s first flight aboard the VH-92A was delayed after a Pentagon testing report — obtained by Bloomberg News — warned the aircraft was not yet “operationally suitable” or sufficiently reliable, particularly in an emergency. According to an internal summary prepared for senior defense officials, the VH-92A was “failing to meet the reliability, availability, or maintainability threshold requirements” set for it. While the aircraft was deemed “operationally effective” for routine administrative missions — such as trips to Camp David or Joint Base Andrews — it was not considered effective “for the contingency operation mission,” the term used to describe emergency flights.
A U.S. official, who asked not to be identified while discussing internal deliberations, said the Biden administration had not yet determined whether the helicopter could be put into operation, as it was still assessing its safety. The final timeline was to be determined by the White House Military Office.
In response, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky issued a brief statement. “We continue to build VH-92A presidential aircraft and are pleased our customer awarded us a contract for the final five production helicopters earlier this year,” spokesman Jeff Brown said. “Sikorsky continues to work closely with our customer to ensure the aircraft meets all operational requirements.”
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) stamped the 28-page testing report “Controlled Unclassified Information” — a label increasingly used by the military to restrict public dissemination of programme cost and performance data. “The VH-92 report was marked CUI to protect critical technical information and operational security,” said Capt. Clay Doss, a Navy spokesman, adding that an unclassified synopsis would be included in the Pentagon test office’s annual report, typically published in January.
When fully operational, the VH-92A will transport the president and vice president of the United States and other officials, carrying the distinctive call sign “Marine One” — used for any U.S. Marine Corps aircraft with the president aboard — and “Marine Two” when carrying the vice president.
