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White House helipad

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Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot initial takeoff from White House Helipad on September 21, 2026

The White House helipad is located on the South Lawn of the White House, with a paved pathway to the White House driveway. It was constructed in 2026 to accommodate the Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot's use as the new Marine One presidential helicopter. Previously, less powerful Marine One helicopters landed on temporary metal disks. The helipad contains a granite depiction of the presidential seal.

Background

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The presidential helicopter Marine One traditionally landed on manually-placed temporary metal disks on the South Lawn.[1] When the Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot was tested as the new model for Marine One in 2018, it was discovered to scorch and uproot the lawn creating hazardous debris due to its powerful rotor wash and engine exhaust.[2] To accommodate the VH-92 for White House flights, President Donald Trump suggested a permanent granite helipad.

Donald and Melania Trump participate in a Silent Drill Platoon Review with Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan
Trump gives Xi Jinping a tour of Marine One and the Helipad

History

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Construction began in June 2026 shortly after and in the area of the UFC Freedom 250 event,[3] while the Ellipse was designated a temporary landing area.[4]

The project cost an estimated $5–$6 million and was financed entirely by the manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft.[5][6][7] Two months into construction, President Trump requested a rebuild because the foundation followed the natural slope of the South Lawn instead of being more level to also host patio events yet still provide proper drainage.[8][9][10]

Construction continued throughout all hours of the day in order to finish in time for the September 23 state visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.[11][12] The helipad was completed ahead of schedule in early September and the ribbon cutting ceremony occurred on September 21, when Trump flew to Joint Base Andrews to board Air Force One for a trip to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.[13][14]

On September 24, Trump gave Xi Jinping a tour of the renovated White House grounds including the new Marine One and granite helipad that also was the stage for a Silent Military Drill performance.[15]

Design

[edit]

The helipad is 100 feet (30 m) in diameter. It contains a depiction of the presidential seal, carved out of 4-inch thick (102 mm) California black granite with white granite inlays. A white granite path connects the helipad to the driveway, which leads to the restored ground floor entrance into the Diplomatic Reception Room. Another visible change is the White House's formerly asphalt driveway replaced with white granite.[16]

[edit]

References

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  1. ↑ Diamond, Dan (July 15, 2026). "Trump breaks tradition with a new landing zone for Marine One". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ Epstein, Jake (April 23, 2024). "New Marine One helicopters the US spent $5 billion on aren't allowed to carry the president because they could scorch the lawn". Business Insider. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  3. ↑ McCarthy, Charlie (June 30, 2026). "Report: Construction Begins on White House Helipad". Newsmax. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  4. ↑ Bhakta, Mira (August 27, 2026). "NTSB: Temporary Ellipse site factored into Marine One incident". The Hill. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ Li, Katherine; Lee, Lloyd (August 4, 2026). "Photos: White House gets $6M helipad funded by Lockheed Martin to protect lawn from Marine One". Business Insider. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ Erickson, Bo; Renshaw, Jarrett; Erickson, Bo (July 6, 2026). "Trump says Sikorsky to fund White House helicopter landing pad". Reuters. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Stassis, Cristina (July 6, 2026). "Marine One helipad to be built on White House lawn, Trump says". Military Times. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Fahrenthold, David A. (August 4, 2026). "Workers Disassemble Parts of Trump's White House Helipad, Photos Show". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ Murray, Conor. "Workers Rip Into White House Helipad After Trump Orders Changes". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 14, 2026. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ McRady, Rachel (August 6, 2026). "Trump Rips Up His New White House Helipad to Start Over After President Requests Changes". People. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ Blaskey, Sarah; Diamond, Dan; O'Connell, Jonathan (July 6, 2026). "Trump speeds up helipad project ahead of Xi visit, adding $875K, records show". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Trump having White House lawn raised as part of helipad construction project". The Independent. August 25, 2026. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ Lane, Summer (September 21, 2026). "President Trump cuts the ribbon on new White House helipad". RSBN. Retrieved September 21, 2026.
  14. ↑ Konig, Joseph (September 21, 2026). "Trump Inaudible at White House Helipad Ribbon Cutting After TV Outlets Boycott Over Media Ban". People. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  15. ↑ Diamond, Dan (September 24, 2026). "Trump shows off helipad to Xi Jinping, calls him an 'expert on stone'". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Trump Showcases White House Renovations, From New Granite Driveway to $6 Million Helipad". yourNEWS Media Newsroom. August 19, 2026. Retrieved September 21, 2026.

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