Trump says Sikorsky to fund White House helicopter landing pad

• Sikorsky will fund the $5-6 million granite landing pad construction, which will include a carved White House seal requested by Trump
• The new helipad is needed for the 2024 fleet of Marine One helicopters designed for increased performance and payload
• The more powerful helicopters rip out grass upon landing rather than simply discoloring it, necessitating the upgraded landing surface

Summary

President Donald Trump announced on July 6 that Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Corp subsidiary, will fund the construction of a new helicopter landing pad at the White House at a cost of $5-6 million. The granite helipad is being built on the White House South Lawn to accommodate next-generation Marine One helicopters.

Key Details:

• Project cost: $5-6 million, fully funded by Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin
• Reason: New Marine One helicopters, completed in 2024, are more powerful than anticipated and damage the grass landing surface
• Additional feature: Trump requested a carved White House seal be added to the granite pad after learning the company was covering costs

Trump stated Sikorsky "felt a little bit guilty" after not fully disclosing the helicopters' power, which rips out grass upon landing rather than merely discoloring it. The 2024 Marine One fleet was designed to increase performance and payload capacity, according to the U.S. Navy.

Market Implications:

This development highlights the ongoing relationship between defense contractors and government operations. While the $5-6 million expenditure is relatively small for Lockheed Martin, it demonstrates the company's willingness to absorb costs related to its military contracts. Lockheed Martin did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump's statements.

The news comes as Lockheed Martin continues its role as a primary defense contractor, with Sikorsky being a key subsidiary specializing in helicopter manufacturing for military and presidential use.