Sikorsky S-92
| S-92 / H-92 | |
|---|---|
| File:CHC S-92.jpg | |
| A CHC Helikopter Service S-92 | |
| Role | Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft Sikorsky Global Helicopters |
| First flight | December 23, 1998 |
| Introduction | 2004 |
| Primary users | CHC Helicopter Bristow Helicopters PHI Inc Cougar Helicopters |
| Produced | 1998-present |
| Developed from | Sikorsky S-70 |
| Variants | CH-148 Cyclone |
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 shares common parts with the S-70, such as the tail rotor assembly.
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.
Development
Sikorsky 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.[1] The S-92 took its maiden flight on December 23, 1998[1] at the Sikorsky Development Flight Centre, 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.[2] Some reports suggested that the modifications were actually to resolve damage from structural design flaws.[3]
The S-92 is built and customized in Sikorsky's Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility.
Design
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The S-92 is a twin turbine engined utility helicopter with aluminium airframe with some composite components. The four-bladed fully 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. 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 has led the FAA certification board to call the S-92 the "safest helicopter in the world".[4] An active vibration system using 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.
Operational history
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. The first Canadian S-92 (serial number 010) was delivered to Cougar Helicopters Inc., a subsidiary of the VIH Aviation Group, in mid-2005. The S-92 entered commercial revenue service with CHC Denmark on 3 July 2007.[5]
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 comfortably seats 19 passengers in a 20 ft long, 6 ft high and 6 ft 7 in 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 733 ft³ 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 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). 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,[6] which was originally scheduled for November 2008.[7]
A SAR H-92 variant is Sikorsky's entrant in the CSAR-X combat search and rescue contract for the USAF. The competitors include the AgustaWestland EH101 and Boeing HH-47.
Operators
Government operators
- Emir of Kuwait operates 2 helicopters.
- Government of Qatar operates 2 helicopters.
- Government of the Republic of Korea operates 3 helicopters.[8] Introduced into service in November 2007.
- Saudi Interior Ministry ordered 16 helicopters at Dubai Airshow November 2007.
- 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
- Copterline of Finland – 1
- Norsk Helikopter – 6
- Gulf Helicopters – 2
- RDV Corporation – 1
- Blackwater Worldwide
- Bristow – 3
- PHI inc [1] – 11
- Washington Times Aviation – 1
Incidents and accidents
On July 19, 2008, an S-92 helicopter carrying Rev. Sun Myung Moon crashed in South Korea.[9] The helicopter was flying in inclement weather which forced it down on a hillside. The 16 people aboard were slightly injured in the crash.[10][11]
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, ditched and sank in 170 meters of water.[12] The one survivor, Robert Decker, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Preliminary reports indicated that the helicopter lost oil pressure in its gearbox slightly before crashing into the ocean. Sixteen bodies were recovered from the sunken aircraft and one from the surface. Early findings indicated that a pair of main gearbox oil filter bowl mounting studs had failed which would allow the sudden loss of oil from the main gear box. An Airworthiness Directive to replace the studs was planned for release by the FAA on March 23, 2009.[13]
On 21 March 2009, The United Kingdom Coastguard grounded its four Search and Rescue S-92s (based at Stornoway and Sumburgh) to replace titanium main gearbox oil filter bowl mounting studs with steel studs.[14] The UK S-92s were repaired and re-entered service by 22 March 2009.[15] All S-92s worldwide are expected to be grounded until the replacement studs have been fitted.[16]
Specifications (S-92)
Data from S-92 Superhawk brochure[17]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
- Capacity: 19 passengers and one observer in cockpitFuselage 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
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b Frawley, Gerald. "Sikorsky S-92 Helibus", The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004. Aerospace Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
- ^ Lewis, Jeff. "All aboard the S-92". Flight International. 25-31 July 2000. Accessed on 7 November 2008.
- ^ "Type Focus: Sikorsky S-92". RotorHub. Editor: Jon Lake. Shepard Publishing. October-November 2007. p. 19. Accessed on 8 November 2008. The article suggests that reasons for the design modifications on the S-92 were the result of cracking on the tail pylon and stabilator based on reports from unnamed industry sources.
- ^ "Superhawk may succeed Nuri" NST Online December 12, 2007
- ^ "S-92 Helicopter Makes First Flight in Denmark", Sikorsky Aircraft, 15 August 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.
- ^ "Moonies founder 'hurt in crash'". BBC, 19 July 2008.
- ^ "Rev. Moon Hurt in Copter Crash", Newser, 19 July 2008.
- ^ Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, 15 others injured in helicopter crash, Herald Tribune, 19 July 2008.
- ^ "No signals from locator beacons on suits worn by oil workers: officials". CBC News. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "U.S. FAA to issue order to replace part on chopper after crash off N.L." The Telegram. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/21/scotland.copters/index.html
- ^ "Grounded helicopters get all-clear". Press Association, 22 March 2009.
- ^ "British helicopters grounded for repair after Canada crash". CNN, March 21, 2009.
- ^ Sikorsky S-92 Helicopter Attributes page
- Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk, The Story of a World Class Helicopter, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. ISBN 978-1-56347-918-2.
External links
