Paul Lewis/STRATFORD
Sikorsky is bringing forward the planned military utility version of the S-92 Helibus, including study of marinised applications for the medium-size helicopter. The company seeks international market support for a mid-year production go-ahead.
The S-92 was intended primarily as a 19-seat civil helicopter, to be followed by a military transport variant. "The utility version is moving left and centre as military operators ask when it will be ready," says Fred Geier, programme manager S-92 business development.
Sikorsky is advancing completion of the utility prototype in time for a static display at the Paris air show in June. The helicopter, which had been due to be the fifth and final test machine to fly, will be the fourth to join the flight test programme at West Palm Beach on its return from France.
The baseline S-92 utility version will incorporate a 1553 military standard databus interface, folding side seats for up to 22 soldiers, open access rear loading ramp, sliding windows, a 4,545 kg (10,000lb) external cargo hook, provision for 7.62mm machine gun pintle mounts and ballistic tolerant fuel tanks and tail drive shaft. An inflight refuelling boom has been considered after a customer request, but there are no plans for it.
Also under study is a navalised version which could incorporate a folding main rotor and tail for shipboard operations. Among radar configurations examined are a 360í belly-mounted array and access for dipping sonar in the external hook position. There is provision for sponson-mounted hardpoints for two 1,035 litre (230USgal) external tank which could also accommodate weapons such as torpedoes.
Sikorsky has proposed the S-92 for several international competitions, including the joint Scandinavian requirement for 40-50 machines of a single type to perform search and rescue, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and transport. "Other than the Norwegian ASW, the S-92 fits in very nicely," says John Wakefield, Sikorsky international programmes director.
The company also plans to offer the helicopter to Portugal in response to an expected new request for proposals for eight to 12 air force and fisheries protection helicopters. Sikorsky originally proposed the S-70 Black Hawk, but the tender was cancelled as Portugal began looking for a machine with a larger cabin such as the S-92 or rival EH Industries EH101.
Source: Flight International
