See inside Marine One, the soundproof presidential helicopter that can seat 14 people and deploy anti-missile defenses
Official White House Photo by Carlos Fyfe
- Presidents travel in helicopters that are called Marine One when carrying the president.
- The aircraft feature extensive security measures and spacious, soundproof interiors.
- Marine One often picks up the president from the South Lawn of the White House for shorter trips.
US presidents travel in style with secure, state-of-the-art vehicles such as Air Force One and the bulletproof presidential limousine known as "The Beast."
Marine One, the presidential helicopter, is another such mode of transportation. With spacious, soundproof interiors, advanced defense systems, and a landing zone on the White House lawn, the white-topped helicopters are often the most convenient way for presidents to get from place to place.
Take a look inside the Marine One models used by modern presidents.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
President Dwight Eisenhower was the first president to fly in a helicopter in an official capacity in 1957, according to the US Naval Institute.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Marine One features antimissile countermeasures, ballistic armor, secure communication lines, and radar-jamming technology.
In case of a crash, it also has self-sealing fuel tanks and energy-absorbing landing gear to help prevent fires and extensive damage.
JULIA NIKHINSON/AFP via Getty Images
There can be up to five Marine One helicopters flying at one time to obscure the president's exact location, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. The helicopters also frequently change positions after takeoff to make it harder to determine which one the president is on.
Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz
Military cargo aircraft transport Marine One helicopters abroad and remain on standby at local airports in case of emergency during foreign visits, according to the US Naval Institute.
Official White House photo by Pete Souza
A Black Hawk model called the VH-60N White Hawk can fit 11 passengers, and the Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King helicopters can fit 14, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Both are used as presidential transports.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
The helicopter is so soundproof that passengers can speak at a normal volume.
Marine One also includes perks like 200 square feet of interior space and a bathroom.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
Flying across Washington, DC, in a helicopter is more efficient than snarling traffic in a presidential motorcade.
Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Two newer Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot models built by Lockheed Martin debuted in 2021 with the goal of eventually replacing the older Marine One helicopters. Each new aircraft cost $218 million, CT Insider reported.
Bloomberg reported that the new Sikorsky helicopters are no longer in regular use because the engines kept burning the White House lawn.
Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead
President Barack Obama sparked controversy in 2013 when he seemingly forgot to return a Marine's salute and doubled back to shake his hand while boarding Marine One, NPR reported.
However, while Army personnel in uniform are required to salute the president, the president doesn't have to return the gesture. The New York Times reported that President Ronald Reagan was the first president to start returning soldiers' salutes in 1981.
Official White House photo by Pete Souza
The president's seat is the only forward-facing captain's chair on the aircraft aside from the seats occupied by the pilot and copilot, The Points Guy reported.
After his first ride in Marine One in 2009, Obama said that the helicopter was "very smooth" and "very impressive."
"You go right over the Washington Monument and then, you know, kind of curve in by the Capitol," he said. "It was spectacular."