Sikorsky S-92 helicopters are set to be equipped as standard with BFGoodrich's integrated mechanical diagnostics - health and usage management system (IMD-HUMS).
The first unit is intended to support development of the S-92, with the medium-size utility helicopter and the system scheduled to be certificated early next year.
Sikorsky's agreement with BFGoodrich includes provisions for incorporating IMD-HUMS on a range of helicopters including future production S-76s, as well as S-70s (H-60s) and S-80s (H-53s) which are sold to international customers.
The health management system is already operational on US Marine Corps CH-53Es and US Navy SH-60s, and is being evaluated for possible application on the US Army's UH-60s.
Smiths Aerospace's combined cockpit voice and flight data recorder/health and usage monitoring system will be installed on a Bell 412 for the Tennessee-based Erlanger Medical Services by modification centre Helipro International. In the UK, McAlpine Helicopters is to install Smiths integrated data acquisition recorder on a Eurocopter BK117 for the Devon and Cornwall police force.Source: Flight International