Donald Trump is reportedly planning to tear up the White House South Lawn and install a permanent helipad to prevent the powerful new Marine One helicopter from scorching the grass. The helipad would be the latest in a series of cosmetic renovations, including a massive 90,000-square-foot ballroom that required the demolition of the East Wing.
The Culprit: VH-92A Patriot
The issue stems from the VH-92A Patriot, a $200 million Lockheed Martin Sikorsky helicopter that is replacing the VH-3D Sea King, which has served every president since Gerald Ford. According to sources familiar with the plans, the Patriot's exhaust can burn the grass, particularly in hot and dry conditions.
A government watchdog flagged as early as 2018 that the Patriot's engines and auxiliary power unit generate enough heat to damage landing zones like the South Lawn. The Patriot, built on the commercial S-92 airframe, is significantly larger than its predecessor, with a maximum takeoff weight of 27,700 pounds—about six tons heavier than the Sea King—and operates at higher temperatures and power levels.
Operational History
The helicopter made its public debut at Trump's 2019 Independence Day military parade but did not transport a president until August 2024, when Joe Biden used it in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. While the Patriot has flown Trump multiple times outside Washington, neither Trump nor Biden has ever used it for South Lawn arrivals or departures.
The decision to install a helipad follows years of failed attempts to modify the Patriot for safe landings on the South Lawn. Currently, the Sea King lands on small boards placed under its wheels just before touchdown. The Marine Corps had planned to retire the Sea King this year but will now keep the aging fleet in service until at least 2027.
Mar-a-Lago Helipad
Trump is also expected to install a helipad at Mar-a-Lago this summer when the club closes for the season. The Palm Beach town council is considering a proposal that would allow the president to continue using the helipad after leaving office, which the Secret Service argues is necessary as long as Trump resides at the estate.
