Overview
- Multiple U.S. outlets report that President Trump is considering a fixed landing pad on the White House grounds for Marine One, the presidential helicopter, though the White House has not confirmed any construction.
- Reports cite the newer VH-92A Patriot’s exhaust and rotor wash, which direct intense heat downward, as the reason it has not been allowed to take off or land on the South Lawn.
- Older VH-3D Sea King helicopters continue to handle South Lawn operations and their retirement has been pushed to at least 2027 while the Patriot is phased in.
- The Marine Corps and contractor Sikorsky, owned by Lockheed Martin, have spent years seeking fixes since officials flagged the issue in 2018, with other problems such as fluid leaks also reported.
- Some coverage notes construction could start as early as this summer and says a similar pad is being discussed for Mar-a-Lago, while several experts call a White House helipad a practical solution long debated inside government.