What To Know About Trump’s New Helipad
President Donald Trump announced Monday that Sikorsky Aircraft, the manufacturer behind the next generation of Marine One helicopters, will cover the full cost of building a new helicopter landing pad at the White House—meaning American taxpayers will not be responsible for the project.
Speaking during an Oval Office meeting, Trump said the company is investing between $5 million and $6 million to construct a permanent granite helipad on the White House South Lawn. The upgrade is designed to accommodate the more powerful Marine One helicopters now entering presidential service.
New Marine One Helicopters Required an Upgrade
Trump explained that the new presidential helicopters generate significantly more rotor wash than previous models, making the existing grass landing area increasingly difficult to maintain.
Trump said the company hadn’t fully warned officials about the helicopters’ power and later appeared to feel some responsibility for the unexpected impact.
According to the president, the stronger aircraft routinely tear up the South Lawn whenever they land.
Trump said the helicopters do more than leave marks on the lawn—they actually tear the grass out when they land.
The granite landing pad is expected to provide a long-term solution while protecting one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks from repeated damage.
Sikorsky Covering the Entire Cost
Trump said Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, volunteered to pay for the project after recognizing the impact the upgraded helicopters were having on the White House grounds.
The president added that once he learned the company would finance the construction, he requested one additional feature—a carved White House seal engraved directly into the granite landing pad.
As of Monday, Lockheed Martin had not publicly commented on Trump’s remarks or confirmed details surrounding the project.
Marine One Fleet Entered Service in 2024
The U.S. Navy completed delivery of the new Marine One fleet in 2024. The upgraded helicopters were developed to improve presidential transportation through greater payload capacity, improved performance, enhanced reliability, and modernized technology.
The aircraft represent one of the largest upgrades to the presidential helicopter fleet in decades and are designed to better support the demanding requirements of transporting the commander in chief.
White House Modernization Continues
The new helipad is part of broader efforts to modernize White House infrastructure as newer aircraft replace aging equipment.
Because Sikorsky is funding the project, Trump emphasized that the improvements will come without additional taxpayer expense, while ensuring the South Lawn can safely accommodate the next generation of presidential helicopters for years to come.
The White House has not announced when construction will be completed, but the project is expected to provide a durable, permanent landing surface capable of handling the increased power of the new Marine One fleet.