Marine One is not one specific helicopter model; it is a call sign used for any U.S. Marine Corps aircraft that is carrying the President of the United States, and today that usually means specially modified Sikorsky helicopters operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX‑1).

Quick Scoop: What Type Of Helicopter Is “Marine One”?

  • “Marine One” is a radio call sign , not a fixed aircraft type.
  • It is typically a helicopter flown by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX‑1 “Nighthawks”).
  • Historically, the main Marine One helicopters have been:
    • Sikorsky VH‑3D Sea King (“white top”).
* Sikorsky VH‑60N White Hawk (“white top”).
  • A newer generation helicopter, the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin VH‑92A Patriot (a militarized S‑92), is being introduced to take over the Marine One role.

Current and Recent Marine One Helicopters (Overview)

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Helicopter model Role with Marine One Key notes
Sikorsky VH‑3D Sea King Long‑time primary Marine One helicopter, still in limited use during transition. Large, twin‑engine, distinctive green and white “white top” paint.
Sikorsky VH‑60N White Hawk Newer, smaller Marine One helicopter used alongside the VH‑3D. Derived from the UH‑60 Black Hawk, also painted in the “white top” scheme.
Sikorsky VH‑92A Patriot New presidential transport helicopter replacing VH‑3D/VH‑60N in the Marine One fleet. Militarized S‑92, larger and more modern, designed specifically for presidential missions.

A Bit Of Storytelling: How It Works In Practice

When you see the President boarding a helicopter on the White House South Lawn, that aircraft belongs to HMX‑1 and is one of these specially configured Sikorsky models.

The moment the President steps aboard, that aircraft’s call sign switches to “Marine One,” and several similar helicopters may lift off together so that observers cannot easily tell which one he is actually in.

So if you’re wondering “what type of helicopter is Marine One” in 2026, the best short answer is: it’s usually a Sikorsky presidential helicopter (historically the VH‑3D Sea King or VH‑60N White Hawk, with the VH‑92A Patriot now taking over), and “Marine One” is the name of the mission, not just the machine.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.