Sikorsky S-92

S-92 / H-92 Superhawk
A S-92 of CHC Helikopter Service
Role Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight December 23, 1998
Introduction 2004
Status In service
Primary users CHC Helicopter
Bristow Helicopters
Cougar Helicopters
Irish Coast Guard
Produced 1998–present
Number built 200+[1]
Unit cost
VH-92A: $90m ex R&D[2] (FY15)
Developed from Sikorsky S-70
Variants Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone

The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.

The H-92 Superhawk is a military version of the S-92 in the utility transport role, capable of carrying 22 troops. The H-92 can also be configured for specific missions, including search and rescue and executive transportation. The CH-148 Cyclone is a shipboard maritime helicopter variant currently under development for the Canadian Forces.

The VH-92 is a variant currently under development to replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One U.S. Presidential transport fleet.

Development

After the 1973 oil crisis, major oil and gas companies began exploration further offshore, thus creating a need for aircraft such as the S-92 with sufficient capability.[3]

Sikorsky Aircraft first displayed a S-92 mockup of the planned helicopter in 1992. The S-92 was to be offered for sale beginning in 1993, but due to a decline in the international market for helicopters, this was delayed. In 1995 Sikorsky formed Team S-92 with international partners and launched the helicopter program at the Paris Airshow that year.[4] Sikorsky developed the S-92 to compete with civil aircraft such as the Aerospatiale/Eurocopter Super Puma.[5] The helicopter uses a new airframe with dynamic components based on the S-70/H-60 components. The S-92 took its maiden flight on December 23, 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center, West Palm Beach, Florida.[5][6]

In July 2000, Sikorsky announced design changes to the S-92. The fuselage of prototype #3 was lengthened by 16 in (40 cm) aft of the cockpit, the tail pylon was shortened by 41 in (1.04 m), and the horizontal stabilizer was repositioned from the left side opposite the tail rotor to the right side at the base of the tail pylon. The modifications to the tail solved a pitch stability issue discovered during flight testing, and were reported to allow the aircraft to meet a key requirement of the Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NSHP) for shipboard stowage. The lengthening of the fuselage and shortening of the tail pylon shifted the aircraft center of gravity (CG) forward, permitting a more level attitude in flight. The longer fuselage allowed for an additional row of three seats, as well as a larger passenger door option for Search and Rescue (SAR) customers. Sikorsky incorporated the changes into the following two prototypes as the production standard configuration.[7] Some reports suggested that the modifications were actually to resolve damage from structural design flaws.[8]

The S-92 is built and customized in Sikorsky's Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility. The S-92 received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 29 type certification on December 19, 2002,[9] and received International European Aviation Safety Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification on June 8, 2004.[10] In June 2009, Sikorsky Aircraft entered into a joint-venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for S-92 manufacturing in India for export and domestic markets. A US$200 million manufacturing plant will be operational in Hyderabad by 2010. Initially, TASL will supply the complete cabins for the S-92 to Sikorsky.[11][12] The first cabin was delivered in November 2010.[13]

Design

An S-92 at Sola Airport, Norway in July 2003

The S-92 is multi-purpose helicopter powered by twin GE CT7-8A turboshaft engines and has an aluminum airframe and some composite components. The four-bladed fully articulated composite main rotor blade is wider and has a longer radius than the Sikorsky S-70. The tapered blade tip sweeps back and angles downward to reduce noise and increase lift. Most of the rotor system components aside from the blades are titanium.

The S-92 features an active vibration control system, using vibration sensors and structurally mounted force generators to increase flight comfort and lower acoustic levels to below certification requirements.[14] A 2008 study by Norway's Flymedisinsk Institute found that the S-92's vibration levels were 42 percent above that of the Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma; Sikorsky disputed this finding, saying that the study hadn't used their latest anti-vibration technology.[15] In February 2011, the noise and vibration levels were reportedly subject to health concerns, allegedly causing tinnitus and heart problems.[16][17]

A number of safety features such as flaw tolerance, bird strike capability, and engine burst containment have been incorporated into the design. Adherence to FAA FAR part 29 has led the FAA certification board to call the S-92 the "safest helicopter in the world".[18] The S-92 reportedly met the FAR part 29 "run dry" requirement by asserting the loss of oil pressure in the main gear box is "extremely remote".[19]

Operational history

The S-92 received FAA certification in 2002,[9] and International certification in June 2004.[10] The first S-92 was delivered in late 2004 to launch customer PHI, Inc.[20][21]

Competitions

Sikorsky entered the VH-92 variant of the S-92 into the VXX competition for U.S. Presidential helicopter Marine One, but lost to the Lockheed Martin VH-71 Kestrel. However, the competition was restarted in 2010 due to ballooning VH-71 development costs, allowing Sikorsky to resubmit the VH-92 in April 2010.[22] By mid-2013, all other aircraft makers are understood to have dropped out of the contest, leaving only Sikorsky.[23] On 7 May 2014, it was announced that the S-92 had won the VXX competition to replace the aging Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters that transport the President of the United States.[24]

Sikorsky entered a Search and rescue variant of the H-92 in U.S. Air Force's CSAR-X combat search and rescue competition beginning in 2006. Its competitors were the AgustaWestland EH101 and HH-47, but by December 2012 all other manufacturers had withdrawn. Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group expected the company to offer an S-92 version.[25] Flight International magazine expects Sikorsky to bid a version of its MH-60 special operations helicopter.[26]

After Sikorsky successfully challenged in court the preferred supplier status of NHIndustries NH90 for the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme an open competition was held.[27] Sikorsky entered the S-92 as a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Royal Norwegian Air Force Westland Sea King Mk.43B in 2015.[28] The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10 to 12 helicopters were AgustaWestland AW101, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, Eurocopter EC225, and NHIndustries NH90.[29] The V-22 was eliminated from the competition in 2012.[30] The S-92 was removed from the competition in July 2013 and was subsequently won by AgustaWestland with an order for 16 AW101s.[27]

The S-92 competed with the Eurocopter EC225 for the UK Search and Rescue – Helicopter (SAR-H) program.[31] In February 2010, the S-92 was selected by the UK in a £6bn deal to replace 40 Sea King search and rescue helicopters with 25 to 30 S-92s;[32] it subsequently announced that Soteria, the preferred supplier, will not be used due to irregularities with its bid.[33] The UK government subsequently opted for a smaller £2.5bn contract with the Bristow Group to operate 11 S-92s (and 11 AW189s) from 10 bases.[34]

The Irish Coast Guard is replacing its Sikorsky S-61N fleet with the S-92. First aircraft was delivered on 29 January 2012. The aircraft are operated by CHC Helicopter.[35][36]

Variants

S-92A

S-92A at Wagga Wagga Airport in 2015

The S-92A is the civilian variant and is available in a number of versions. The civil transport version has an airliner-type interior which seats 19 passengers. The utility transport version has 22 side-facing seats with a full cabin width rear ramp. The 733 sq ft (68.1 m2) interior cabin area can also be configured to accommodate up to three airline-style LD3 cargo containers. Additional stowage space is available in the 140 sq ft (13 m2) area located in the aft ramp compartment. During development it was referred to as the S-92C Helibus.

H-92 Superhawk

The H-92 Superhawk is the military variant of the S-92. It has been demonstrated to the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The H-92 has more powerful GE CT7-8C engines, rated at 3,070shp (2,300 kW) and, unlike the S-92, has fly-by-wire flight controls. The search and rescue variant provides space for seats, litters, auxiliary fuel cell and SAR emergency equipment.

In July 2004, the H-92 Superhawk was selected by Canada for its Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP) as the CH-148 Cyclone. Canada ordered 28 helicopters in November 2004.[37] The program has been delayed multiple times.[38]

VH-92

In May 2014, Sikorsky was awarded a US$1.24 billion contract to build a variant of the S-92 for transport of the U.S. President. Sikorsky will outfit this variant with an executive interior and military mission support systems, including triple electrical power and redundant flight controls. Six of the variant, designated VH-92A,[39] have been ordered by the U.S. Navy for delivery in 2017.[40] Production of a further 17 aircraft is planned to begin in 2020.[41][42] The total FY2015 program cost is $4.718 billion for 23 helicopters, at an average cost of $205M per aircraft.[2] In July 2016, the design passed its Critical Design Review, which clears it for production.[43]

Operators

A Sikorsky S-92 at the 2007 Paris Air Show
A S-92 of CHC Helicopter (Ireland) operated in the SAR role on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard[44]
A S-92 from China Southern Airlines
Gulf Helicopters S-92

Civil operators

 Brazil
 Brunei
 Canada
 People's Republic of China
 Norway
 Qatar
 United Kingdom
 United States

Government operators

 Japan
 Azerbaijan
 Bahrain
 Ireland
 Saudi Arabia
 South Korea
 Thailand
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
 United Kingdom
 United States

Military operators

 Canada
 Kuwait
 South Korea
 United States

Accidents and notable incidents

On July 2, 2008, a S-92A (registration VH-LOH, serial number 920036) operated by CHC Helicopters (Australia) was returning from an offshore oil facility en route to Broome, Australia with 2 pilots and 14 passengers on board when it suffered a "massive loss of main gearbox oil". The crew made a skillful emergency descent and landing on a Broome beach following the activation of onboard warning systems.[80]

On July 19, 2008, an S-92 carrying Rev. Sun Myung Moon crashed in South Korea.[81] The helicopter was flying in inclement weather which forced it down on a hillside. The 16 people aboard were slightly injured in the crash.[82][83]

On March 12, 2009, Cougar Helicopters Flight 91, an S-92A operated by Cougar Helicopters carrying 18 passengers and crew en route to oil platforms off the coast of Newfoundland, crashed and sank in 170 meters (560 ft) of water[84] during an attempted ditching. One person was rescued from the North Atlantic with serious injuries[85] and the others did not survive.[86] The crash was determined[87] to be caused by 16 separate factors that lead to the fatal crash but no single one was to blame.[88]

Specifications (S-92)

Data from Sikorsky S-92 specifications,[89] International Directory of Civil Aircraft[4]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Sikorsky Commercial Newsletter
  2. 1 2 "GAO-15-342SP DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs" (PDF). US Government Accountability Office. March 2015. p. 1. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Kay, Marcia Hillary. "40 Years Retrospective: It's Been a Wild Ride" Rotor & Wing, August 1, 2007. Accessed: 8 June 2014. Archived on 8 June 2014.
  4. 1 2 Frawley, Gerald. "Sikorsky S-92 Helibus". The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004. Aerospace Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  5. 1 2 Donald, David, ed. "Sikorsky S-92". The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Nobel Books, 1997. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
  6. ↑ Frawley, Gerald. "Sikorsky S-92". The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  7. ↑ Lewis, Jeff. "All aboard the S-92". Flight International. 25–31 July 2000. Accessed on 7 November 2008.
  8. ↑ Lake, Jon, editor. "Type Focus: Sikorsky S-92". RotorHub. Shepard Publishing. October–November 2007. p. 19. Accessed: 8 November 2008. The article suggests that reasons for the design modifications on the S-92 were the result of cracking on the tail pylon and stabilator based on reports from unnamed industry sources.
  9. 1 2 Searles, Robert A. "A Truly New-Generation Helicopter". Aviation Week's Sporlight, June 2003.
  10. 1 2 "Sikorsky S-92 Achieves International Type Certification". Sikorsky, June 8, 2004.
  11. ↑ "Tata-Sikorsky Deal Ends HAL Aerospace Monopoly". Defense News, June 3, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Tata Advanced Systems and Sikorsky to Manufacture Helicopter Cabins in India". machinist.in, June 16, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Business briefs". Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  14. ↑ North, David M. "S-92 Update and Pilot Report". Aviation Week, September 28, 2003.
  15. ↑ Cheny, Peter. "Newfoundland company orders S-92 pilots to remain below 7,000 feet." Globe and Mail, 14 May 2009.
  16. ↑ "This helicopter makes pilots ill". Dagbladet, February 7, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Many pilots report ruined health". Dagbladet, February 12, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Superhawk may succeed Nuri". NST Online, December 12, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Doomed helicopter failed vital safety test, files reveal". Globe and Mail online, April 6, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Connecting Sikorsky's Commercial Network". Sikorsky, July 2005.
  21. ↑ Our Fleet. PHI, Inc.
  22. ↑ Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Announce Teaming Agreement to Compete for the VXX Presidential Helicopter Program
  23. ↑ Drew, Christopher. "Few Suitors to Build a New Marine One". New York Times, 29 July 2013.
  24. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (7 May 2014). "Sikorsky Wins $1.24 Billion Contract for Presidential Helo". United States Naval Institute. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Sikorsky Is Sole Bidder in Helo Contest." Defense News, December 18, 2012.
  26. ↑ Majumdar, Dave. "Sikorsky last bidder standing in USAF's combat rescue helicopter battle". Flight International, December 12, 2012.
  27. 1 2 http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/norway-opens-up-sar-helicopter-competition-03020/
  28. ↑ "The NAWSARH Project". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  29. ↑ Per Erlien Dalløkken (May 7, 2009). "De fem kandidatene". Teknisk Ukeblad (in Norwegian). Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Candidates that have passed the Pre-qualification process for delivery of future SAR helicopters for Iceland and Norway". Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police. n.d. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  31. ↑ "SAR-H bidders announce helicopter types". Shephard Group. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  32. ↑ Wilson, Amy (February 10, 2010). "RBS group wins £6bn helicopter PFI". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  33. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12389512
  34. ↑ http://bristowgroup.com/bristow-news/latest-news/2013/bristow-wins-uk-sar-award/
  35. ↑ CHC wins €500m Coast Guard contract. insideireland.ie
  36. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". ©Copyright 2012 Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  37. ↑ "Government of Canada Awards Contracts to Sikorsky for New Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopter". Canadian Forces news, November 23, 2004.
  38. ↑ "Canada's CH-148 Cyclones: Better Late Than Never?". Defense Industry Daily, July 21, 2013.
  39. 1 2 "Contract Awarded Presidential Helicopter". navair.navy.mil. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  40. ↑ "Sikorsky wins US presidential helicopter contract". Flight
  41. ↑ David Pierce (7 May 2014). "This is the President's new $1.2 billion helicopter". TheVerge.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  42. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command (May 2014). "VXX Program". navair.navy.mil. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  43. ↑ US Presidential Helo Moves to Production Phase, Christopher C. Cavas, DefenseNews.com, 25 July 2016
  44. ↑ http://www.chc.ca/news/2010/09/new-irish-search-and-rescue-contract-signed.aspx
  45. ↑ "Frota Off-Shore.". lideraviacao.com.br. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  46. ↑ "Brunei Shell Petroleum Purchases Three S-92s.". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  47. ↑ "CHC Fleet". chc.ca. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  48. ↑ "Cougar Heli.". cougar.ca. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  49. ↑ "Eastern General Aviation S-92". china-egac.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  50. ↑ "AIRSHOW CHINA: China Southern orders two Sikorsky S-92s for oilfield support". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  51. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  52. ↑ "Bristow Helicopters" (PDF). bristowgroup.com. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  53. ↑ "Bristow S-92". Demand media. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  54. ↑ "CHC Helicopter fleet". no.chc.ca. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  55. ↑ "Gulf Helicopters fleet". gulfhelicopters.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  56. ↑ "Bond Aviation Group fleet". bondaviationgroup.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  57. ↑ "Bristow Helicopters fleet". bristowgroup.com. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  58. ↑ http://www.bristowgroup.com, 2014 Annual Report, Bristow Gulf of Mexico operations
  59. ↑ "PHI fleet". phihelico.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  60. ↑ "Sikorsky S92 Aircraft". CHI Aviation. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  61. ↑ "s-92 Helibus in Chevron Oil - Helicopter Database". Helis.com. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  62. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  63. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  64. ↑ "Sikorsky Announces S-92 VIP Helicopter Sale to Azerbaijan Airlines". Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  65. ↑ "Bahrain International Airshow 2010". aeroresource.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  66. ↑ "Sikorsky Completes Production of the S-92 Helicopter for Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Operations". Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. December 21, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  67. ↑ "Large helicopter fleet deployed for Haj security". saudigazette.com.sa. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  68. ↑ "Korea Coast Guard signs for S-92". Helihub.com. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  69. ↑ "Royal Thai Air Force". helis.com. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  70. ↑ "Turkey Signs for Head-of-State Sikorsky S-92". Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  71. ↑ "Turkmenistan Purchases Two VIP S-92 Helicopters". Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  72. ↑ "EZ-S721 Turkmenistan Government Sikorsky S-92A". Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  73. ↑ "United Kingdom Coast Guard Aviation". Aeroflight.
  74. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  75. ↑ http://www.bristowgroup.com, HM Coast Guard operations in the UK
  76. ↑ "Sikorsky Delivers Alaska's First S-92 Search and Rescue Helicopter". Lockheed Martin. September 29, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  77. ↑ "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  78. ↑ "Sikorsky Delivers Three S-92 Helicopters to Korean Air Force". Aero-News.net. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  79. ↑ "Sikorsky-S-92A". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  80. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/.../2008%2009%2025%20Waldron%20Report.pdf
  81. ↑ "Moonies founder 'hurt in crash'". BBC, July 19, 2008.
  82. ↑ "Rev. Moon Hurt in Copter Crash". Newser, 19 July 2008.
  83. ↑ Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, 15 others injured in helicopter crash, International Herald Tribune, 19 July 2008.
  84. ↑ "No signals from locater beacons on suits worn by oil workers: officials". CBC News. March 12, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
  85. ↑ "AVIATION REPORTS - 2009 - A09A0016 - Occurrence Summary - Main Gearbox Malfunction/Collision with Water Cougar Helicopters Inc. Sikorsky S-92A, C-GZCH St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, 35 nm E 12 March 2009". Transportation Safety Board of Canada, 2010. Accessed: 26/11/2011.
  86. ↑ Croft, John. "TSB: Cougar S-92 experienced tail rotor drive failure". Flightglobal.com, 22 June 2009.
  87. ↑ TSB Accident Investigation Report A09A0016
  88. ↑ "Investigator wants tighter helicopter standards".The Globe and Mail, 9 February 2011. Access date: 9 February 2011.
  89. ↑ Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter (Attributes tab). Sikorsky
  90. ↑ , Sikorsky S-92 Multimission Brochure, p.20, Retrieved March 15, 2011.
Bibliography
  • Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk, The Story of a World Class Helicopter, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. ISBN 978-1-56347-918-2.

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