SIKORSKY HAS launched the medium size S-92 Helibus helicopter as an international collaborative venture, involving risk-sharing partners from Japan, Spain, Taiwan, Brazil and China (Flight International 7-13 June).

Full-scale development of the S-92 will take just under three years, with the prototype scheduled to have its maiden flight in early 1998. Planning calls for FAA/JAA Pt 29 certification and delivery of the first 19-22-seat helicopter in the year 2000.

Sikorsky has signed partnership agreements with five foreign aerospace manufacturers to develop and produce the twin-engine helicopter. "Team S-92" consists of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Gamesa of Spain, Taiwan Aerospace (TAC), Embraer and Jingdezhen Helicopter of China.

MHI has a 7.5% share in the programme designing and building the centre-fuselage module. Gamesa has a 7% stake and will be responsible for the upper fairing and transmission housing section.

The S-92's cockpit section, will be supplied by TAC, as part of its 6.5% share of work. Embraer has a 4% share, and will provide the machine's sponsons, while Jingdezhen has 2%, and will handle the helicopter's empennage module.

Programme leader Sikorsky will manufacture principally the helicopter's composite rotor blades, rotor head and transmission. The company will also flight test and assemble the helicopter.

Subcontractors will include Lockheed Standard for the cockpit displays; GEC-Marconi for its health and usage monitor (HUMS); and Hamilton Standard for the automatic flight-control system. Other vendors include Parker Bertea for the servos, and the Russian Mil design bureau for the gearbox.

Two versions of the helicopter are planned (Flight International, 12-18 June). The 19-seat civil transport will be powered by two 1,300kW (1,750shp) General Electric CT7-6D turbo-shafts and have a maximum take-off weight of 10,940kg. The basic design is the result of input from 11 helicopter operators.

Development of the International Utility, or military S-92, will run around six months behind that of the civil version. The 22-seat utility, will be powered by up-rated 1,415kW CT7-8 turbo-shafts.

Source: Flight International