President Donald Trump announced Monday that a granite helipad is under construction on the White House South Lawn. Trump stated that Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and the maker of the presidential helicopter Marine One, will cover the full cost of the project, estimated at $5 to $6 million.
"So, now we're building a helipad, a beautiful helipad, and it's got the seal of the White House on it, in granite, in carved granite. It's really a beautiful thing," Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office.
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin confirmed the company's contribution to the National Park Service, stating that their engagement with the federal government adheres to strict ethics and compliance standards.
The need for the new helipad arises from damage caused by the current fleet of helicopters. Trump noted that the older helicopters have been used for South Lawn departures and arrivals because they scorch and even remove grass from the lawn. The newer fleet, delivered to the Air Force in 2024, has been used for presidential travel when the president is away from Washington.
The VH-92A Patriot helicopter, a new model from Sikorsky, is described by a company spokesperson as a "recognizable patriotic asset known around the globe for safety, security and reliability." The U.S. Navy awarded Sikorsky a $1.24 billion contract, initiated under the Obama administration, to replace the Marine One fleet. This contract aims to provide increased capabilities for the presidential transport mission, offering improved performance and reduced maintenance costs.
This helipad is the latest in a series of construction and renovation projects undertaken at the White House during Trump's presidency. Previously, the East Wing was demolished for the construction of a ballroom, a project that faced legal challenges. Other modifications include the installation of a "Presidential Walk of Fame" under portraits in the West Wing Colonnade, the paving of the Rose Garden grass for a patio, and the erection of large flagpoles on both the North and South Lawns. Scaffolding has also been observed for restoration work on the building's stone columns.