Owego Lockheed Martin Plant Completes Presidential Helicopter Job

Lockheed Martin in Owego has delivered the final next-generation presidential helicopter to the U.S. Marine Corps.

The company on Monday announced that the 23rd helicopter built by its Sikorsky unit has been accepted by the Marine Corps.

That aircraft was the final helicopter of what will become the new presidential fleet. It was delivered last week in a ceremony at the Tioga County site.

A view of the Lockheed Martin Owego facility on August 18, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The new helicopter is known as the VH-92A Patriot. It's based on Sikorsky's existing S-92 aircraft, which was modified at company facilties in Owego and Stratford, Connecticut to meet the requirements of the White House and the Marine Corps.

The VH-92A eventually will be used to transport the President and the Vice President, along with other United States government officials.

A company ceremony was held in the town of Owego to mark the delivery of the final VH-92A helicopter to the Marine Corps. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The Marine Corps will work with the White House Military Office on developing and implementing the transition from the old Sikorsky presidential helicopter fleet to the new aircraft.

According to Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland, 21 of the recently-delivered VH-92A helicopters will be operational and two are test aircraft.

A Lockheed Martin representative on Monday said company officials would not be available to discuss the completion of the high-profile program.

A VH-92A helicopter in flight. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Sikorsky was awarded the presidential helicopter contract in May 2014.

Developing the next "Marine One" aircraft has been a long and arduous journey for Lockheed Martin's Owego site.

The company and community celebrated in January 2005 when the Navy selected Lockheed Martin's bid for the program after an intense competition.

The contract was expected to result in 750 new jobs for the Tioga County operation. But the VH-71 program wound up being canceled in 2009 after nine helicopters had been delivered.

Sikorsky won a new competition for the presidential helicopter project in May 2014. Lockheed Martin acquired Sikorsky from United Technologies Corporation the following year.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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