Sikorsky to boost production of new variant S-92A+ heli
Sikorsky aims to ramp production up to build up to 12 S-92A+ helicopters a year.
Sikorsky is boosting production of the new variant of its heavy lift S-92 helicopter. The manufacturer will build five S-92A+ aircraft in 2026 before ramping up to 12 airframes in following years.
Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager told a pre-Verticon media briefing: “We have now started our first production batch of S-92A+ helicopters. Last year we were talking about the A+ kits. Now, we’re off and producing the S-92+ as the latest variant of the heavy lifter.” The current production time is about 36 months, but for customers wanting to buy an aircraft a year from now, it’s only a 24-month lead time, he added.
“We hadn’t started building a year ago the 92A+ and now we’re not only building them, but we’re setting up a production so we can build up to 12 of those a year and ramping production to be able to do that,” said Benton.
“The S-92 remains the aircraft of choice for head-of-state, offshore energy and search and rescue operators who want the highest available flight-time helicopter to perform long-range missions in any weather condition,” he said.
Sikorsky reported a 14th country recently ordered two aircraft for head-of-state transport. The manufacturer will assemble these two aircraft plus three additional S-92A+ aircraft this year.
Staff at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford will produce S-92 dynamic components, including the main gearbox, blades and drivetrains. Assembly will take place in Owego: with the team having delivered 23 new US presidential helicopters based on the S-92A platform. Last year, the manufacturer delivered two S-92A aircraft to head-of-state customers in Asia and the Middle East.
Sikorsky is standardising all production aircraft around the S-92A+ model. Each aircraft will feature the Phase IV main gearbox as well as upgraded engines. The Phase IV main gearbox is in its final 200 hours of endurance testing and will have a minimum operating lifecycle of 6,000-plus flight hours, ensuring longer intervals between overhauls, said the OEM. The gearbox features auxiliary lubrication so the helicopter can complete a flight safely even if primary oil pressure is lost.
The new variant delivers additional engine power courtesy of the increased shaft horsepower of the GE CT7-8A6 engines, which are said to maintain power through greater temperature ranges in hot and high-altitude environments.
The increased engine power combined with airframe strengthening increases maximum gross weight to 27,700lbs and delivers an additional 1,200lbs of payload or fuel. It also boosts the exterior lift (sling load) capability.
The S-92A+ is available as a kit for retrofit to any S-92A aircraft with the option for upgraded engines.
