Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin VH-92 Marine One for VXX

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Donald McKelvy
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Artist's impression of the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin VH-92 Marine One, not the Department of Defense designation, based on the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk for the revised VXX competition.

Source:
http://www.aviationnews.eu/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/VXX-Helicopter-Sikorsky-Lockheed-Martin.jpg
 

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I've seen one of these aircraft flying around DC over the last week or so. Must be starting to test their performance and integration with facilities in the DC area.
 
Earlier this year (I think) they had one land at the White House to do some test. It burned the grass.
 
Earlier this year (I think) they had one land at the White House to do some test. It burned the grass.

That was late 2018. But I think not publicized until DOT&E's report last year.


And it still has the same issue, apparently.

 
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Spotted one of the VH-72s again on my drive home from work yesterday. Very low over the highway (lower than the H-60s that often fly the same route.). It's a big bird. It feels larger than the VH-3s, if only because the sponsors give it a wide, flat surface when seen from below.
 
It will be a good replacement I think. The platform has done well in the civil market.
 
Rumor has it that the S-92 concept began with a suggestion from a Canadian Armed Force pilot. Back around 1982 or 1983, a group of Canadian pilots and navigators - from a Sea King squadron - visited the Sikorsky factory in Connecticut and politely listened to the sales pitch on the SH-60 Seahawk. While they acknowledged the superior drive train, they commented on the cabin being too small to accommodate all their anti-submarine equipment plus the admiral's barge role ... er ... misc. cargo like cross-decking the padre on Sunday mornings. When they suggested a Fat Hawk version (e.g. S-61R Jolly Green Giant SAR helicopter used by the USAF), Sikorsky salesmen chuckled and escorted them to the door. A decade or so later, Sikorsky announced their new S-92 which was essentially an S-61R fuselage hanging under updated SH-60 rotors. After too many delays to mention, the RCAF finally received their first CH-148 Cyclone helicopters in 2018.
 
Rumor has it that the S-92 concept began with a suggestion from a Canadian Armed Force pilot. Back around 1982 or 1983, a group of Canadian pilots and navigators - from a Sea King squadron - visited the Sikorsky factory in Connecticut and politely listened to the sales pitch on the SH-60 Seahawk. While they acknowledged the superior drive train, they commented on the cabin being too small to accommodate all their anti-submarine equipment plus the admiral's barge role ... er ... misc. cargo like cross-decking the padre on Sunday mornings. When they suggested a Fat Hawk version (e.g. S-61R Jolly Green Giant SAR helicopter used by the USAF), Sikorsky salesmen chuckled and escorted them to the door. A decade or so later, Sikorsky announced their new S-92 which was essentially an S-61R fuselage hanging under updated SH-60 rotors. After too many delays to mention, the RCAF finally received their first CH-148 Cyclone helicopters in 2018.
I’ve only seen the Cyclone once and that was freezing wet Wednesday of Paris Air Show 2011 of their first one at the Sikorsky / United Technologies Chalet so here are my photos.

Absolute tragedy the other year with the loss of one in the Med / Adriatic Sea…thankfully a mate of mine who is a Combat Systems Operator on the Cyclone was not on that a/c.

cheers
 

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The Sikorsky Aircraft / Lockheed Martin VH-92A Patriot was to enter presidential service in 2024, but has been demoted to backup duty so far, due to issues with its encrypted communications systems, and because the manufacturers still can’t figure out how to keep it from scorching the White House’s South Lawn.
Sources:
Forbes [No Paywall]
Bloomberg News [Paywall]
Gulf News [No Paywall]

IMHO after the 2024 election, the next FLOTUS, whoever she may be, should redesign the South Lawn with a heat resistant helipad. A new "helipad" or nowadays "vertiport" should have either the American flag or the presidential seal instead of the letter "H".
Disclaimer: My opinion is to be seen as non-political, because this forum and this topic is not about the 2024 presidential election. Thanks in advance. :)
 
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