Sikorsky Press Release
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Following major structural enhancements and systems upgrades, the first military variant of the S/H-92 family is back in flight test with additional gross weight capability, an extended main rotor shaft, and an upgraded electrical system.
"The new configuration changes and the increased gross weight mark the introduction of expanded military capabilities to the Program" said S-92 Program Manager (and Rotorheads guru)Nick Lappos. "The S/H-92 demonstrates the world-class payload, safety features, and performance needed to fill the requirements of military and civil customers around the world."
The improvements to Aircraft 3 include:
A new, extended main rotor shaft, and new main rotor servos. The payload of a well-equipped S/H-92 is now more than 11,000 pounds.
A redesigned electrical system to maintain rotor ice protection after a generator failure. This upgrade will also allow the addition of a vast array of options in the future.
A structurally optimized production tail pylon that establishes the final production configuration. The new structure is lighter than the developmental tails flown previously.
The next generation of improvements in the layout of the cockpit Multi-Function Displays.
The Republic of Ireland has agreed to begin negotiations for the purchase of three Sikorsky S-92 helicopters to fulfill the Irish Air Corps Search and Rescue (SAR) mission. In 2001 pilots from the U.S. Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps flew the aircraft to evaluate its performance.
Other upgrades to Aircraft 3 include the 16-inch cabin extension, lowered tail rotor pylon, and relocated horizontal stabilizer, all of which were previously incorporated into Aircraft 4 and 5 in response to customer requests for additional cabin space and a larger main door.
Aircraft 3 was also retrofitted with the Rockwell Collins glass cockpit and integrated avionics package, improved landing gear, upgraded drive train, optimized vibration system, and redundant APU fuel boost pump required for FAA certification.
The S/H-92 Program has now accumulated more than 1,000 hours of flight test. "The S/H-92 is the only aircraft that meets the latest enhanced safety requirements, such as flaw tolerance, bird strike capability and turbine burst protection. These capabilities place the S-92 a full generation ahead of the other medium helicopters in the marketplace," said Lappos.
The first prototype with the Rockwell Collins cockpit, Aircraft 4, gathered baseline data for the FlightSafety Inc. pilot training simulator, including handling qualities, performance, noise and vibration data. Aircraft 4 is now flying avionics certification flights. Aircraft 5 has completed the majority of the certification powerplants and static performance flying. Aircraft 5 is now being fitted with upgrades similar to Aircraft 3 to prepare it for structural certification flying.
The Sikorsky S/H-92 is evolved from the proven S-70 BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK aircraft, and will be available in a 19-passenger commercial, a 22-troop utility and a multitude of mission specific configurations.