Also Updates Progress of S-76D Helicopter Program
Increased maximum gross weight capability and advancements in
automation for offshore navigation are among the enhancements
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has planned in the near future for its S-92
helicopter, the company announced Tuesday at the biannual Helitech
exhibition.
Marc Poland, Vice President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters,
delivered a press briefing to outline Sikorsky's plans for its
commercial helicopter programs, which include the S-434, S-300C,
S-92, H-92 and S-76 helicopters.
Among the key improvements being planned for the S-92 helicopter
are:
- Increased maximum gross weight from 26,500 pounds to above
27,000 pounds.
- Improvements to the durability of the main gear box.
- Limited icing certification.
- A fully coupled and automated approach capability that will
allow pilots to approach offshore platforms with greater safety and
lower minimums.
Sikorsky S-92
"Sikorsky remains committed to improving reliability and
operability, and these enhancements for the S-92 helicopter are the
result of that commitment," Poland said. "We continue to grow our
products with a focus on customer satisfaction, safety and
dedication to the innovative philosophy that has been the hallmark
of Sikorsky Aircraft."
Poland said further improvements to the Rotor Ice Protection
System have been deployed and are the result of steady work on the
system since the 2009 icing season. "We have worked hard to
significantly improve the reliability and maintainability of all
RIPS components and sub-systems," he said.
For offshore oil operators, Sikorsky announced an automated
approach system that it says reduces cockpit workload and allows
safer operations under challenging weather and operating
conditions.
At a news briefing at Helitech, the company said the new
platform-finding system provides a fully coupled and automated
approach capability with a higher safety margin than currently is
available with any other offshore approach procedure.
"Depending on the weather, landing a helicopter on an oil
platform can be challenging," said Ron Doeppner, project pilot on
the S-92 helicopter program. "With the platform-finding system, the
pilot programs the approach into the autopilot and the aircraft
flies the approach. This allows the pilots to spend less time
concentrating inside the cockpit and more time looking outside for
visual cues. This feature is especially valuable in night and low
visibility conditions, adding an extra element of operational
safety."
The system will allow the helicopter to land and take off in
more weather conditions, maximizing flight availability and revenue
potential.
Sikorsky S-76
In other developments, Sikorsky's S-76D helicopter, the next
generation model in the S-76 helicopter series, also is continuing
its flight envelope expansion, with more than 40 flight hours
logged. Among the S-76D helicopter's features are all-composite,
flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system
and autopilot; dual speed rotor with active vibration control;
powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada 210S engines; a quiet mode for
enhanced public acceptance; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection
System (RIPS) for all-weather capability. The S-76D helicopter also
will offer an increase in useful load and extended range
performance versus the S-76C+ and S-76C++ aircraft currently
fielded.
Other highlights noted by Poland:
- The S-76D prototype D1 is in active flight test with prototype
D2 in final check-out, preparing for flight in October. Build-up of
a third prototype is under way at Sikorsky Global Helicopters'
Coatesville, PA, facility, with anticipated delivery to the flight
test center in Q4.
- The S-434 helicopter produced by the Light Helicopter division
of Sikorsky Global Helicopters is flying and pursuing FAA
certification.
- The first production CH-148 helicopter, being developed for
Canada's Maritime Helicopter Program, is flying and scheduled to
begin sea trials later this year.