Seoul-based helicopter operator Heli Korea has placed the first firm order with Samsung for the Samsung-Bell SB427 eight-seat utility helicopter.
Apart from this order for three aircraft, Samsung says that it has letters of intent (LoIs) covering 25 further potential sales, including five in China. Among possible Chinese customers is Hainan Airlines, which has submitted an LoI for two helicopters, as well as offshore operators Zhuhai Helicopters and China Ocean Helicopters, which are in talks, but have not yet submitted LoIs.
Samsung says that, if the Chinese market demonstrates a requirement for more than 250 helicopters, then it will offer co-production rights to Changhe Aircraft which could carry out final assembly. According to the company, the SB427 should be certificated by the US Federal Aviation Administration this year.
The South Korean manufacturer builds the fuselage, tail boom and vertical stabiliser for the helicopter, as well as carrying out final assembly, while dynamic components are manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron. Samsung says that its factory could produce 10 SB427s a month, although it only anticipates making half that.
The manufacturer predicts a market in China and South Korea - the only countries where Samsung is entitled to sell the helicopter under its agreement with Bell - of some 500 427s in the next 15 years.
Other helicopter manufacturers marketing in the region, however, describe the local civil helicopter market as "dead", with little immediate prospect of recovery as a result of continuing financial turbulence in Asia. This suggests that it could take some time for 427 production to wind up to the levels Samsung hopes for.
The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 2.7t and is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada 530kW (710shp) PW206Ds. It offers a maximum cruise speed of 133kt (245km/h) and a range up to 663km (358nm).
Source: Flight International
