Sikorsky will build six new VH-92A® Presidential Helicopters under a $470.8-million contract from the U.S. Navy, exercising options in a broader order for 23 aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract, Lot II, calls for deliveries to be made during 2022 and 2023.
Six of the same series of helicopters from the first LRIP contract are undergoing modifications now and are on schedule for deliveries to begin in 2021.
"Now that we are ramping up production, the VH-92A program is gaining momentum," according to Sikorksy's Dave Banquer, VH-92A program director. "This second contract award demonstrates the confidence the U.S. Marine Corps has in Sikorsky's proven ability to deliver and support the next generation Presidential helicopter."
The Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin VH-92 is a variant of the Sikorsky twin-engine S-92 medium-lift helicopter being developed as a replacement for the USMC's Marine One the presidential transport fleet.
Lockheed reports the first six VH-92A aircraft have proven their production readiness through operational assessments, including over 1,000 flight-test hours that have established its technical maturity and the readiness of its mission systems.
Those initial six helicopters will be delivered in 2021.
"The program continues to progress on budget and within our planned acquisition timeline," stated Col. Eric Ropella, PMA-274 presidential helicopter program manager.
According to a U.S. Navy announcement, work on the next six aircraft will be performed at Sikorsky operations in Stratford, Conn.; Coatesville, Penn.; Owego, N.Y.; Patuxent River, Md.; and Quantico, Va.
