The White House is installing a permanent granite helipad on the South Lawn, funded by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft, to prevent damage from the new Marine One helicopters.
Permanent helipad to protect South Lawn
President Donald Trump revealed the project during a July 6 Oval Office briefing. He described the new helicopters as significantly more powerful than previous models, noting their increased thrust was tearing up the grass. The issue went beyond discoloration—landings were uprooting the turf entirely.
Trump explained the solution would be a permanent helipad featuring the White House seal, with an estimated cost between $5 million and $6 million. Sikorsky agreed to cover the expense.
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“Sikorsky is paying for it. You know why? Because they didn’t tell us how powerful these helicopters were,” Trump said. “And they felt a little bit guilty.”
A Lockheed Martin representative confirmed the company would fund the project through the National Park Service, which oversees the White House grounds. No timeline or final cost was provided. The White House did not respond to inquiries.
Construction delays and redesigns
Work on the helipad has begun, though recent images show complications. Trump ordered contractors to redo parts of the installation, including removing a nearly 100-foot-wide granite presidential seal that had already been placed. While repairs continue, Marine One has been landing on the Ellipse, the park just south of the White House.
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The new VH-92A Patriot helicopters are part of a fleet upgrade Sikorsky claims improves performance and lowers maintenance costs over older models.
Temporary landing zone in use during construction
Marine One will keep using the Ellipse until the helipad is ready. The adjustment has gone largely unnoticed but required coordination with park officials.
The finished granite pad will serve a practical purpose rather than an ornamental one. Its placement on the South Lawn—a space typically used for events like Easter egg rolls—will introduce a lasting alteration to the area. No completion date has been announced.
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