Paul Derby/DUBAI
Sikorsky is remaining tight lipped about exactly when it will launch full-scale production of the S-92 Helibus, but says the third development aircraft has now made its maiden flight.
Jim Williams from the S-92 business development team says aircraft number three has completed five flights totalling 5.5 hours. The significance of this machine is that it is the first featuring the more powerful GE CT7-8 engines.
"We've been doing a lot of hover work," explains Williams, "and the first flight itself lasted for 1.4 hours which we're very pleased with.
"We've achieved 125kts in forward flight and we'll be looking to expand the flight envelope from there."
Aircraft number two, which has been the main flight test vehicle, now has 96.2 flight hours, says Williams.
Meanwhile, Sikorsky continues to push ahead with development of a utility-configured machine following interest from the military sector. The company says it expects the military market to account for more than 50% of future S-92 sales.
"What you have to remember is that there isn't as much differentiation between the commercial and utility configurations as you might think," says Williams. "The concept of the S-92 is a modular design that can be built on depending on mission requirements."
In the run-up to the show, Sikorsky submitted an S-92 proposal to Portugal to meet a requirement for between eight and 12 helicopters for air force and fisheries protection use.
The company expects a request for quotations from the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme covering up to 90 anti-submarine warfare, SAR and transport helicopters by the end of the month. The joint requirement involves Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
Source: Flight Daily News