The President Was Assigned More Helicopters After 9/11
After 9/11, Forbes reported that it was decided the President needed better helicopters to transport them from the White House.
Source: NormanB/Wikimedia Commons
This meant designing helicopters with higher carrying capacity, improved in-flight defenses, and resilient connectivity.
VH-92 Was Set To Be the New Presidential Helicopter
In 2014, it was decided that a new fleet of helicopters was needed, and the idea of the VH-92 began.
Source: Cpl. Eric Huynh/Wikimedia Commons
However, this hasn’t been without its problems. Ten years after the helicopter was given the green light to be the new Presidential helicopter, it still hasn’t been used for its main purpose.
The Problem Has Been Ongoing for Six Years
This isn’t a new problem; according to Bloomberg, the lawn scorching was first identified in 2018.
Source: US Marine Corps/Wikimedia Commons
Despite it being a six-year problem, those working on the helicopter still haven’t been able to solve it.
The Problem Was Meant To Be Solved in 2021
Even though the military is still trying to solve the problem, it hasn’t been through a lack of trying.
Source: US Marine Corps/Wikimedia Commons
Business Insider reported back in 2021 that the military had expected to solve the problem by June of the same year, but that still hasn’t happened.
The 2023 VH-92 Report
A report on the VH-92 was released in 2023, detailing issues with the helicopter and recommendations for improving it.
Source: US Marine Corps/Wikimedia Commons
While the report mentioned improving the voice communications, nothing was mentioned regarding the lawn scorching issue.
Only White House Officials Are Using the Helicopter
Joe Biden has been forced to use one of the older VH-3D Sea King helicopters as he cannot take off on the iconic White House lawn.
Source: @markknoller/X
According to Business Insider, White House officials and Secret Service personnel are now using the VH-92, which was initially meant for the President.
VH-92 Was To Replace the Older Models
The president uses Marine One to get about and up until recently used the VH-3D and VH-60N models.
Source: Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons
VH-92 was meant to replace these models as the new Marine One, but so far, it hasn’t happened due to the issues with scorching the lawn.
The VH-92 Only Uses Paved Runways
As it has issues with scorching the lawn, the Daily Mail reports that the VH-92 is only able to land on paved runways for the time being.
Source: @ThePresidentsUS/X
This is why Presiden Biden cannot use the helicopter as the President typically takes off on a helicopter on the White House lawn.
Not Suitable for Emergency Situations
Sometimes, the Presidential helicopters are needed for emergency situations, as VH-92 was meant to be.
Source: @natariliz/X
However, according to reports by Axios, the VH-92 has been deemed unsuitable for emergency situations by officials.
A Possible Fix
Having spent several years trying to solve the problem, experts believe they may have located it.
Source: @StrikeWriter/X
What this is is currently unknown, as is whether it will actually fix the problem or whether it will still be ongoing.
Biden Has Never Been in VH-92
As it has been six years since VH-92 was deemed as unsuitable to fly due to the scorching, Biden hasn’t even ridden in it yet.
Source: @PenguinSix/X
And with the Presidential elections set to happen late in 2024, it is unknown whether Biden will ever be able to fly in VH-92 or whether that will be left to a potential new President.