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Sikorsky S-92
| Sikorsky S-92 | |
|---|---|
| CHC Helicopter Sikorsky S-92 | |
| Type | Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
| Maiden flight | December 1998 |
| Introduced | 2004 |
| Primary users | CHC Helicopter Bristow Helicopters Petroleum Helicopters Aircontactgruppen AS |
| Produced | 2000s-present |
| Unit cost | USD $15,300,000 |
| Developed from | Sikorsky S-70 |
| Variants | CH-148 Cyclone |
The Sikorsky S-92 is a medium-lift twin-engine helicopter. It is an evolution of Sikorsky's S-70 US Army UH-60 Black Hawk and US Navy Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
The H-92 Superhawk is a military version, available as a 22-troop utility transport, and in a number of mission-specific configurations - including Search and Rescue and VIP transportation. The H-92 was ordered by the Canadian Forces in 2004 as the CH-148 Cyclone.
Contents
Development
The S-92 took its maiden flight in December 1998 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Centre, West Palm Beach, Florida. FAA FAR part 29 certification was received in December 2002. European Aviation Safety Agency/Joint Aviation Authorities (EASA/JAA) certification was received in June 2004. The first S-92 was delivered to launch customer Petroleum Helicopters in September 2004. Orders have been received for more than 100 helicopters.
The S-92 entered commercial revenue service on July 3, 2007 with CHC Denmark.[1]
Design
The civil S-92 has a metal and composite airframe. The four-bladed articulated composite main rotor blade is wider and has a longer radius than the S-70 Blackhawk. The tapered blade tip sweeps back and angles downward to reduce noise and increase lift. In response to requests for additional cabin space, Sikorsky has increased the cabin length of the final prototype by 41 cm, reduced the height of the tail pylon and relocated the horizontal stabiliser. Tethered hover flight has recorded 31,000 lb of lift generated, both in and out of ground effect.
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, as well as the fact that no S-92 has ever crashed (during development or otherwise), has lead the FAA certification board to call the S-92 the "safest helicopter in the world".[2] An active vibration system utilizing structurally mounted force generators ensures comfortable flight and acoustic levels which are well below certification requirements. These systems also prolong the life of the airframe by reducing fatigue loads on the aircraft.
Variants
S-92
The S-92 is available in a number of variants. The civil transport version has an airliner-type interior which comfortably seats 19 passengers in a 20ft long, 6ft high and 6ft 7in wide standup cabin. The utility transport version has 22 side-facing seats in a large, stand-up cabin with a full cabin width rear ramp. The 733ft³ interior cabin area can also be configured to accommodate up to three airline-style LD3 cargo containers. Additional stowage space is available in the 140ft³ 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). 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, with the first scheduled to enter service by January 9, 2009,[3] which was originally scheduled for November 2008.[4]
A USAF SAR version was proposed; however, Sikorsky lost to the Boeing HH-47, a Chinook helicopter modified for Combat SAR. The contest is being recontested due to controversy with the award to Boeing.
Operators
Government operators
- Emir of Kuwait operates 2 helicopters.
- Government of Qatar operates 1 helicopter.
- Government of the Republic of Korea operates 3 helicopters.[5]
- Government of Turkey operates 1 helicopter.
- Government of Turkmenistan operates 2 helicopters.
- Her Majesty's Coastguard operates 4 helicopters leased from CHC Helicopter
- 3 ordered for Thai Government
Civil operators
- Brunei Shell Petroleum – 3
- CHC Helicopter – 12
- Cougar Helicopters – 5
- Eastern General Aviation – 1
- Copterline of Finland – 1
- Aircontactgruppen AS – 6
- Norsk Helikopter – 6
- Gulf Helicopters – 1
- RDV Corporation – 1
- Blackwater USA
- Era Aviation – 3
- Petroleum Helicopters, Inc (PHI) – 9
- Washington Times Aviation – 1
Specifications (S-92)
Data from S-92 Superhawk brochure[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 22
- Length: 68 ft 6 in (20.9 m)
- Rotor diameter: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
- Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.71 m)
- Disc area: 2,650 ft² (246 m²)
- Empty weight: 16,600 lb (7,530 kg)
- Loaded weight: 26,500 lb (12,020 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 28,300 lb (12,800 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric CT7-8A turboshafts, 3,000 shp (2,238 kW) each
- Fuselage length: 56 ft 2 in (17.1 m)
- Fuselage width: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m)
- Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 knots (190 mph, 306 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 151 kt
- Range: 800 nmi (920 mi, 1,482 km) (internal fuel)
- Service ceiling: 13,780 ft (4,200 m)
- Disc loading: 9.8 lb/ft² (48 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.23 hp/lb (0.38 W/kg)
References
- ↑ "S-92 Helicopter Makes First Flight in Denmark", Sikorsky Aircraft, August 15, 2007.
- ↑ "Superhawk may succeed Nuri" NST Online December 12, 2007
- ↑ "Sikorsky strike to slow delivery of new helicopters", theGlobeandmail.com, January 23, 2007.
- ↑ "Government of Canada Awards Contracts to Sikorsky for New Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopter", Canadian Forces news, November 23, 2004.
- ↑ Air Forces Monthly, December 2007 issue, p.25.
External links
- S-92 page on Sikorsky.com
- H-92 page on Sikorsky.com
- "CHC Orders 12 Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters", Sikorsky Aircraft, November 2, 2007.
Related content
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Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
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See also
Template:Sikorsky Aircraft
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