The Sikorsky VH-60N "White Hawk" is a Presidential ("Marine One") and government-level VIP transport operated by the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The helicopter is based on the ubiquitous Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" transport used throughout the world. More specifically, VH-60N is a UH-60A production model with elements of the SH-60B and SH-60F "Seahawk" navy helicopters added. The White Hawk first entered service in 1988 and continues in its role today (2014) while some nine total airframes have been delivered. The helicopter is only recognized as "Marine One" when the President is actually onboard and "Marine Two" designates the helicopter when the Vice President is the high-ranking member being transported. The Marine One fleet is looked after by some 800 USMC personnel and based out of MCAF Quantico, Virginia. Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) is the USMC squadron charged with the safe transportation of the United States President.
The VH-60N was initially known as VH-60D "Night Hawk". This early version was an HH-60D with 2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines while its internals were appropriately configured for the VIP passenger transport role.
In service, the President's helicopter is typically flanked by other VH-60Ns to disguise the actual helicopter carrying the American Commander-in-Chief. Pilots of VH-60N are dressed in their Blue Dress uniforms (as opposed to flight suits). To protect the President's location within the airborne fleet, the helicopters attempt to fly irregular patterns. Furthermore, they are outfitted with military-grade countermeasures to combat for incoming missile threats from the ground or air-launched. The fleet is air-transported anywhere in the world where the President is visiting - allowing the familiar, well-versed transport process to be carried over from homeland to overseas and back.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Transport
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
✓VIP Service
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.
Length
64.8 ft (19.76 m)
Width/Span
53.7 ft (16.36 m)
Height
16.8 ft (5.13 m)
Empty Wgt
10,624 lb (4,819 kg)
MTOW
23,501 lb (10,660 kg)
Wgt Diff
+12,877 lb (+5,841 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk production variant)
Installed:
2 x General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines driving a four-bladed main rotor and a four-bladed tail rotor.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None. Countermeasures are carried to protect against incoming missile threats.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
VH-60N "WhiteHawk" - Base Series Designation
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
60
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (183mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (9)
9
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database DVIDS.
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