Sikorsky S-92

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-92

The Sikorsky S-92 is an American twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by
Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter markets. 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 under development for
the Canadian Forces. The Sikorsky VH-92 is a variant under development to
replace the United States Marine Corps' Marine One U.S. Presidential transport
fleet.

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-60 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 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.


Role
Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter

National origin
United States

Manufacturer
Sikorsky Aircraft

First flight
December 23, 1998

Introduction
2004

Status
In service

Primary users
CHC Helicopter
Bristow Helicopters
Cougar Helicopters
Irish Coast Guard

Produced
1998–present

Number built
at least 300

Developed from
Sikorsky S-70

Variants
Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
Sikorsky VH-92

The S-92 received FAA certification in 2002, and International certification in
June 2004. The first S-92 was delivered in late 2004 to launch customer PHI,
Inc.

Variants

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 sq ft (68.1 m2) interior cabin area can also be configured to
accommodate up to three airline-style LD3 cargo containers. Additional stowage
space is available in the 140 sq ft (13 m2) area located in the aft ramp
compartment. During development it was referred to as the S-92C Helibus.

H-92 Superhawk

The H-92 Superhawk is the military variant of the S-92. It 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 3,070 shp (2,290 kW) and, unlike the S-92, has
fly-by-wire flight controls. The search and rescue variant provides space for
seats, litters, auxiliary fuel cell 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. Canada ordered 28 helicopters
in November 2004. The program has been delayed multiple times.

VH-92

Main article: Sikorsky VH-92

The S-92A variant, designated VH-92 will be used as the next Marine One to fly
the U.S. President

Specifications (S-92)

General characteristics
Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
Capacity: 19 passengers
Length: 68 ft 6 in (20.88 m)
Rotor diameter: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m)
Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.71 m)
Disc area: 2,492.3 ft² (231.54 m²)
Empty weight: 15,500 lb (7,030 kg)
Loaded weight: 26,500 lb (12,020 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 27,700 lb (12,568 kg)
Fuselage length: 56 ft 2 in (17.1 m)
Fuselage width: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m)
Rotor systems: Main rotor has 4 blades. From the main gearbox a set of
driveshafts connect to the tail gearbox to turn the 4-blade tail rotor.
Cabin dimensions: 20 ft long by 6.6 ft tall
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric CT7-8A turboshaft, 2,520 shp (1,879 kW) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 165 knots (190 mph, 306 km/h)
Cruise speed: 151 kn, 174 mph (280 km/h)
Range: 539 nmi (999 km)
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,270 m)
Disc loading: 9.8 lb/ft² (48 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.23 hp/lb (0.38 kW/kg)




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