Naval Air Systems Command on Friday awarded Lockheed Martin Sikorsky [LMT] a $479 million modification to procure five more VH-92A presidential helicopters in the replacement program.

This modification exercises options to procure five Lot Three low-rate initial production (LRIP) VH-92A helicopters along with associated interim contractor support, two cabin interior reconfiguration kits, support equipment, initial spares, and system parts replenishment.

A VH-92A test presidential helicopter on the tarmac at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. The VH-92A will replace the VH-3D “Marine One” Sea Kings and VH-60N White Hawks in Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). (Photo: U.S. Navy)
A VH-92A test presidential helicopter on the tarmac at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. The VH-92A will replace the VH-3D “Marine One” Sea Kings and VH-60N White Hawks in Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). (Photo: U.S. Navy)

These helicopters will be part of the planned fleet of 23 to replace the current White House transport fleet of VH-3D “Marine One” Sea Kings and VH-60N White Hawks in marine Helicopter Squadron One (HM-1). The current aircraft were also produced by Sikorsky.

This work will largely be split among Stratford, Conn. (50 percent), Coatesville, Pa. (36 percent); and Owego, N.Y. (10 percent) and is expected to be finished by December 2023.

The full award amount was obligated at the time of award via fiscal year 2021 Navy aircraft procurement funds, with none expiring at the end of this year,

A year ago the Navy awarded Sikorsky a $471 million modification to procure the second set of six VH-92A helicopters, covering six low-rate initial production Lot 2 aircraft (Defense Daily, Feb. 20, 2020).