Sikorsky S-92 Helibus

United States of America

Medium to heavy lift airliner and utility helicopter

The S-92 Helibus is a new medium/heavy lift helicopter Sikorsky is developing in with a number of international partners Development of the S-92 was first announced in 1992 when Sikorsky unveiled a mockup of the new helicopter. In 1993 however Sikorsky postponed launching the S-92 due to the international helicopter market downturn and instead began searching for international risk sharing partners. By 1995 Sikorsky had formed its Team S-92 grouping and formally launched the S-92 at that year's Paris Airshow. Sikorsky has built five prototype S-92s, four of which are flying aircraft. The first is a civil S-92A, which first flew on December 23 1998. The international utility/military S-92IU development will also be offered. S-92A certification to FAR/JAR Pt 29 and first deliveries are scheduled for 2002. As originally envisaged the S-92 was to combine upgraded dynamic system components of the H-60/S-70 series with a larger cabin. However the S-92 is essentially an all new helicopter, with larger, composite construction, swept, tapered and anhedral tipped main rotor blades, new tail rotor, and a new four stage transmission based and the three stage S-70 unit. Some 40% of the aircraft is of composite construction. The S-92's main cabin is wider and longer than the S-70's and features a rear loading freight ramp, while the cockpit will feature a Sanders EFIS system with four colour liquid crystal displays, with provision for a fifth. Power is from two FADEC equipped CT7-8D turboshafts. Team S-92 members include risk sharing partners Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7.5%, responsible for the main cabin), Gamesa of Spain (7% - cabin interior and transmission housing) and China's Jingdezhen Helicopter Group (2% - tail pylon and tailplane), while Taiwan's AIDC (6.5% - flightdeck) and Embraer (4% - sponsons and fuel system) are fixed price suppliers/partners. The S-92 is similar in size to the S-61 and is aimed at being a modern replacement for the later helicopter. The S-92 is also in the same class as the popular Super Puma. Canadian offshore operator Cougar Helicopters became the launch customer. Deliveries will start in 2002.

S-92A - Two 1864kW (2500shp) takeoff rated General Electric CT7-8 turboshafts driving four blade main and tail rotors.

S-92A - Max cruising speed 287km/h (155kt), economical cruising speed 260km/h (140kt). Hovering ceiling out of ground effect 7300ft. Range 910km (490nm).

S-92A - Empty 7030kg (15,500lb) civil transport configuration, 6893kg (15,200lb) utility configuration; max takeoff 11,430kg (25,200lb), max takeoff with sling load 12,020kg (26,500lb).

Main rotor diameter 17.71m (56ft 4in), length overall rotors turning 20.85m (68ft 5in), fuselage length 17.32m (56ft 10in), height 6.45m (21ft 2in). Main rotor disc area 231.6m2 (2492.4sq ft).

Flightcrew of two. Accommodation in main cabin for 19 passengers or up to three standard LD3 containers.

Five prototypes (one ground test vehicle and four flying ones) are used in the development program since December 1998. Certification and first deliveries planned for 2002.

Sikorsky S-92 Helibus