Sikorsky Aircraft's S-76 helicopter line continued building upon its legacy with the recent delivery of the 600th S-76 helicopter.

More than 220 operators in 59 countries are currently flying S-76 helicopters. The S-76 fleet has accumulated more than four million flight hours since the first aircraft was delivered in 1979.

"The success of the S-76 has been built by meeting the needs of our customers throughout the products long and distinguished tenure. Delivering our 600th helicopter attests to the S-76's status as the preferred choice for hundreds of commercial operators around the world," said Jeff Pino, Sikorsky's senior vice president for strategy, marketing and commercial programs.

Building on the success of the S-76 product line, Sikorsky announced in February 2005 a series of engine, air vehicle, interior and avionics upgrades available for order immediately on the new S-76C++ helicopter and a set of additional product improvements that will lead to the launch of the new S-76D model in 2008.

The extensive product upgrades ensure that the S-76C++ (shown below) and the future S-76D will remain best-in-class in the corporate VIP, offshore oil, airline, EMS/ search-and-rescue and law enforcement segments.

Product improvements available immediately on the S-76C++ include a Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engine upgrade, a new VIP interior, a new health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), and the implementation of new quiet zone technology that will significantly reduce interior noise levels without adding weight.

The S-76D (shown above) will build upon the upgrades slated immediately for the C++ by offering additional product improvements including a new composite main rotor blade, a new quiet tail rotor, a rotorcraft icing protection system (RIPS) that will provide the ability to launch into known icing conditions, a new cockpit with an integrated avionics system designed to the latest U.S. and European requirements, and a new Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com