OEM Action 2015
Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider is a company-funded counter-rotating/pusher prop scout/attack helicopter. Rotorcraft Pro wants one! Sikorsky Photo
2015 promises to be a very busy year for Sikorsky’s military helicopter division. “In my 25 years with the company, this is the most engineering that we’ve ever had going on,” said Chris Van Buiten, the vice president of technology and innovation at Sikorsky, where he runs the Sikorsky Innovations group
One of the company’s standouts this year is the CH-53K King Stallion. Built upon the legendary CH-53E, the CH-53K has twice the carrying capacity, thanks to its composite rotor blades, three 7,500 shp (5,590 kW) engines, and improved aerodynamics. “It also has a glass cockpit, fl y-by-wire technology, and enough extra cabin space to load a Humvee,” said Van Buiten.
2015 will also see Sikorsky working on its S-97 Raider, the company-funded counter-rotating/pusher prop scout/attack helicopter derived from the company’s X2 Technology Demonstrator. Its fi rst fl ight is expected early this year, and Van Buiten claims the Raider can fl y twice as fast and far higher than conventional helicopters. Also this year, Sikorsky is pushing
ahead with the SB>1 Defi ant fl ying prototype, the company’s joint venture with Boeing under the U.S Army’s Joint Multi-Role
Technology Demonstrator
(JMRTD) Air Vehicle Program; again using X2 technology. The company is also busy readying its S-92 for the Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program. On the civilian side, Sikorsky has asked
the FAA to increase the S-92’s maximum gross weight rating from 26,500 to 27,700
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lbs. “We have managed to make a number of weight-reducing enhancements that have resulted in this extra 1,200 lbs payload capacity,” said Dan Hunter, director of commercial programs at Sikorsky. “This increase will be a big help for operators fl ying the S-92 at its full 19 passenger complement.”
Sikorsky is also seeking EOSA and
Transport Canada approval for its FAA- approved automated rig approach software. Originally certifi ed by the FAA for the S-92, the company is also planning to bring this same capability to the smaller S-76D.
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