Sikorsky S-92
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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
. From February 2009, the S-92 program was placed under Sikorsky Global Helicopters, Sikorsky's new civil helicopter business unit.
components. The S-92 took its maiden flight on December 23, 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center, West Palm Beach, Florida.
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. Some reports suggested that the modifications were actually to resolve damage from structural design flaws.
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, and received International European Aviation Safety Agency
/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification on June 8, 2004. 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. The first cabin was delivered in November 2010.
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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. Tethered hover flight has recorded 31,000 lb of lift generated, both in and out of ground effect.
The S-92 also features an active vibration control
system with vibration sensors and structurally mounted force generators. The system provides for comfortable flight and acoustic levels below certification requirements. This system also prolongs airframe life by reducing fatigue loads on the aircraft.
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". 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".
competition for U.S. Presidential helicopter Marine One
, but lost to the VH-71 Kestrel. However, the competition was restarted in 2010 due to ballooning VH-71 development costs, allowing Sikorsky to return to the melee with the VH-92 in April 2010.
Sikorsky entered a Search and rescue
variant of the H-92 in US Air Force
's CSAR-X combat search and rescue competition beginning in 2006. Its competitors were the AgustaWestland EH101 and HH-47.
The S-92 is a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43B
of the Royal Norwegian Air Force
in 2015. The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10-12 helicopters are AgustaWestland AW101, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, Eurocopter EC225, and NHIndustries NH90.
The S-92 competed with the Eurocopter EC225 for the UK Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H) program. In February 2010 the S-92 was selected by the UK to replace 40 search and rescue helicopters with 25 to 30 S-92s, though it has subsequently been announced that Soteria, the preferred supplier, will not be used.
cargo containers. Additional stowage space is available in the 140 ft³ area located in the aft ramp compartment.
flight controls. The search and rescue variant provides space for seats, litters, auxiliary fuel 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. Twenty-eight helicopters were ordered in November 2004. The program has been delayed and the aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in November 2010.
Azerbaijan
's second biggest daily newspaper Dagbladet
featured several articles about health concerns with regards to noise and vibrations in the aircraft. Pilots are alleged to get tinnitus, heart problems and other.
(CHC) Australia was returning from an offshore oil facility en route to Broome, Australia with 2 pilots and 14 passengers onboard when it suffered a "massive loss of main gearbox oil". The crew made an emergency descent and landing following the activation of onboard warning systems. The investigation revealed the cause of the oil loss to be fracture of the main gearbox oil filter studs.
On July 19, 2008, an S-92 carrying Rev. Sun Myung Moon
crashed in South Korea. The helicopter was flying in inclement weather which forced it down on a hillside. The 16 people aboard were slightly injured in the crash.
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 metres (557.7 ft) of water during an attempted ditching. One person was rescued from the North Atlantic with serious injuries and the others did not survive.
The crash was determined to be caused by total gearbox oil loss due to fracture of the main gearbox oil filter studs.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
built by Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70
Sikorsky S-70
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...
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
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
and executive transportation. The CH-148 Cyclone is a shipboard maritime helicopter variant currently under development for the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. From February 2009, the S-92 program was placed under Sikorsky Global Helicopters, Sikorsky's new civil helicopter business unit.
Development
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. Sikorsky developed the S-92 to compete with civil aircraft such as the Aerospatiale/Eurocopter Super Puma. The helicopter uses a new airframe with dynamic components based on the S-70/H-60Sikorsky S-70
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...
components. The S-92 took its maiden flight on December 23, 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center, West Palm Beach, Florida.
In July 2000, Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
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
Center of gravity
In physics, a center of gravity of a material body is a point that may be used for a summary description of gravitational interactions. In a uniform gravitational field, the center of mass serves as the 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. Some reports suggested that the modifications were actually to resolve damage from structural design flaws.
The S-92 is built and customized in Sikorsky's Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Coatesville is the only city in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,100 at the 2010 census. Coatesville is approximately 39 miles west of Philadelphia....
facility. The S-92 received Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA) part 29 type certification
Type certificate
A Type Certificate, is awarded by aviation regulating bodies to aerospace manufacturers after it has been established that the particular design of a civil aircraft, engine, or propeller has fulfilled the regulating bodies' current prevailing airworthiness requirements for the safe conduct of...
on December 19, 2002, and received International European Aviation Safety Agency
European Aviation Safety Agency
The European Aviation Safety Agency is an agency of the European Union with offices in Cologne, Germany, which has been given regulatory and executive tasks in the field of civilian aviation safety. It was created on 15 July 2002, and it reached full functionality in 2008, taking over functions...
/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification on June 8, 2004. In June 2009, Sikorsky Aircraft entered into a joint-venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for S-92 manufacturing in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
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. The first cabin was delivered in November 2010.
Design
The S-92 also features an active vibration control
Active vibration control
Active vibration control is the active application of force in an equal and opposite fashion to the forces imposed by external vibration. With this application, a precision industrial process can be maintained on a platform essentially vibration-free....
system with vibration sensors and structurally mounted force generators. The system provides for comfortable flight and acoustic levels below certification requirements. This system also prolongs airframe life by reducing fatigue loads on the aircraft.
A number of safety features such as flaw tolerance, bird strike
Bird strike
A bird strike—sometimes called birdstrike, avian ingestion , bird hit, or BASH —is a collision between an airborne animal and a man-made vehicle, especially aircraft...
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". 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".
Operational history
The S-92 received FAA certification in 2002, and International certification in June 2004. The first S-92 was delivered to launch customer Petroleum Helicopters in September 2004.Competitions
Sikorsky entered the VH-92 variant of the S-92 into the VXXVXX
VXX is a procurement program to replace aging Marine One helicopters that transport the President of the United States. The current VH-3 helicopters have aging airframes, having entered service with U.S. Marine Corps Marine Helicopter Squadron One in 1963. The VH-3D replaced the VH-3A by 1976...
competition for U.S. Presidential helicopter Marine One
Marine One
Marine One is the call sign of any United States Marine Corps aircraft carrying the President of the United States. It usually denotes a helicopter operated by the HMX-1 "Nighthawks" squadron, either the large VH-3D Sea King or the newer, smaller VH-60N "WhiteHawk", both due to be replaced by the...
, but lost to the VH-71 Kestrel. However, the competition was restarted in 2010 due to ballooning VH-71 development costs, allowing Sikorsky to return to the melee with the VH-92 in April 2010.
Sikorsky entered a Search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
variant of the H-92 in US Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's CSAR-X combat search and rescue competition beginning in 2006. Its competitors were the AgustaWestland EH101 and HH-47.
The S-92 is a candidate for the Norwegian All Weather Search and Rescue Helicopter (NAWSARH) that is planned to replace the Westland Sea King Mk.43B
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
of the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
in 2015. The other candidates for the NAWSARH contract of 10-12 helicopters are AgustaWestland AW101, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, Eurocopter EC225, and NHIndustries NH90.
The S-92 competed with the Eurocopter EC225 for the UK Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H) program. In February 2010 the S-92 was selected by the UK to replace 40 search and rescue helicopters with 25 to 30 S-92s, though it has subsequently been announced that Soteria, the preferred supplier, will not be used.
S-92A
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 ft³ interior cabin area can also be configured to accommodate up to three airline-style LD3Unit Load Device
A unit load device , is a pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft. It allows a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Since this leads to fewer units to load, it saves ground crews time and effort and...
cargo containers. Additional stowage space is available in the 140 ft³ area located in the aft ramp compartment.
H-92 Superhawk
The H-92 Superhawk is the military variant which 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-wireFly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals transmitted by wires , and flight control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control...
flight controls. The search and rescue variant provides space for seats, litters, auxiliary fuel and SAR emergency equipment.
In July 2004, the H-92 Superhawk was selected by Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for its Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP) as the CH-148 Cyclone. Twenty-eight helicopters were ordered in November 2004. The program has been delayed and the aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in November 2010.
Operators
Government operators
Azerbaijan
- Government of Azerbaijan
- Royal Air Wing
- See Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
- The Irish Coast GuardIrish Coast GuardThe Irish Coast Guard is part of the Department of Transport. The Irish Search and Rescue Region, which includes most of the Republic of Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland is the area over which the coast guard has authority. This area is bounded by the UK Search and Rescue Region...
will replace the Sikorsky S-61Sikorsky S-61The Sikorsky S-61L and S-61N are civil variants of the successful SH-3 Sea King helicopter. They are two of the most widely used airliner and oil rig support helicopters built.-Design and development:...
with the S-92, leased from CHC HelicopterCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
.
- Kuwait Air Force operates 4 helicopters. 1 VIP, 2 VVIP & 1 SAR. Aircraft are based at Kuwait International Airport.
- Government of Qatar operates 2 helicopters.
- Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) ordered 16 helicopters at Dubai Airshow November 2007 & some examples have already been delivered, some aircraft are armed with machine guns to support anti-terror operations.
- Government of the Republic of Korea operates 3 helicopters. Introduced into service in November 2007.
- 3 ordered for Thai Government. Announced in the Bangkok Post on April 8, 2011. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/230988/3-helicopters-for-royal-family
- Government of Turkey operates 1 helicopter.
- Government of Turkmenistan operates 2 helicopters.
- Her Majesty's CoastguardHer Majesty's CoastguardHer Majesty's Coastguard is the service of the government of the United Kingdom concerned with co-ordinating air-sea rescue.HM Coastguard is a section of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all civilian maritime Search and Rescue within the UK...
operates 4 helicopters leased from CHC HelicopterCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
.
Civil operators
- Brunei Shell Petroleum – 3
- Líder Aviação – 1
- CHC HelicopterCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
– 12 - Cougar HelicoptersCougar HelicoptersCougar Helicopters is a St. John's based commercial helicopter company servicing offshore oil and gas fields off the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Cougar has permanent facilities in St...
– 8
- Eastern General Aviation – 1
- CopterlineCopterlineCopterline Limited was Finland's largest helicopter airline. In 2004 the company ferried over 75,000 passengers. On December 19, 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between Helsinki and Tallinn. On 15 February 2010, Copterline filed for bankruptcy, citing inability...
of Finland – 1
- Bristow Norway – 11
- CHC Norway – 10
- Gulf HelicoptersGulf HelicoptersGulf Helicopters is a helicopter services provider mainly servicing the Oil and Gas industry in Middle East, Yemen, North Africa and India. It is a 100% subsidiary of Gulf International Services under the Qatar Petroleum umbrella, and has its headquarters in Doha, Qatar. Gulf Helicopters...
– 2
- Starlite Aviation – 2
- Bristow HelicoptersBristow HelicoptersBristow Helicopters is a British helicopter airline originally based at Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, part of the Bristow Group based in Houston, Texas, USA....
19 with seven on order.
- RDV Corporation – 1
- PHI inc – 16
Health concerns
In February 2011 NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
's second biggest daily newspaper Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
featured several articles about health concerns with regards to noise and vibrations in the aircraft. Pilots are alleged to get tinnitus, heart problems and other.
Accidents and notable incidents
On July 2, 2008, a S-92A (registration VH-LOH, serial number 920036) operated by Canadian Helicopters CorporationCHC Helicopter
CHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
(CHC) Australia was returning from an offshore oil facility en route to Broome, Australia with 2 pilots and 14 passengers onboard when it suffered a "massive loss of main gearbox oil". The crew made an emergency descent and landing following the activation of onboard warning systems. The investigation revealed the cause of the oil loss to be fracture of the main gearbox oil filter studs.
On July 19, 2008, an S-92 carrying Rev. Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon is the Korean founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church. He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects...
crashed in South Korea. The helicopter was flying in inclement weather which forced it down on a hillside. The 16 people aboard were slightly injured in the crash.
On March 12, 2009, Cougar Helicopters Flight 91
Cougar Helicopters Flight 91
Cougar Helicopters Flight 91 was a scheduled flight of a Cougar Sikorsky S-92A which ditched on 12 March 2009 en route to the SeaRose FPSO in the White Rose oil field and Hibernia Platform in the Hibernia oilfield off the coast of Newfoundland east-southeast of St...
, an S-92A operated by Cougar Helicopters
Cougar Helicopters
Cougar Helicopters is a St. John's based commercial helicopter company servicing offshore oil and gas fields off the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Cougar has permanent facilities in St...
carrying 18 passengers and crew en route to oil platforms off the coast of Newfoundland, crashed and sank in 170 metres (557.7 ft) of water during an attempted ditching. One person was rescued from the North Atlantic with serious injuries and the others did not survive.
The crash was determined to be caused by total gearbox oil loss due to fracture of the main gearbox oil filter studs.