Fireworks!

Sikorsky representatives tell ANN the company's S-92 helicopter successfully demonstrated its capability to discharge a Chaff and Flare Counter Measures Dispensing System, which is designed to ward missiles away from the aircraft, last month.

Both functionality and effectiveness were demonstrated in separate tests, with the latter occurring March 2 at the US Naval Weapons Test Center at China Lake, CA. The Chaff and Flare Counter Measures Dispensing System is a version of the ALE-47, which is widely employed on US platforms such as the Sikorsky UH-60, MH-60, HH-60, and internationally on the S-70 helicopter.

Sikorsky's S-92 standard survivability suite, offered to international military customers, is based on this system coupled with the AAR-47 Missile Warning System and the APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver. This system allows the pilot to release chaff or flares to counter the homing of a missile to the helicopter. Chaff resembles tiny strands of aluminum foil, and each strip is cut to length to match the various radar wavelengths. Flares are white-hot magnesium particles designed to defeat a missile's infrared tracking mechanisms.

Sikorsky states its S-92 is the only helicopter in its size class certified to the latest US, Canadian and European safety standards. The Canadian Government has selected the naval variant of the H-92 Super Hawk (and re-named it the Cyclone 148) for multi-mission requirements including surface and subsurface surveillance and control.

FMI: www.sikorsky.com