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Sikorsky S-92 fleet surpasses 2 million flight hours

Lockheed Martin at the end of July announced the global fleet of its multi-mission Sikorsky S-92 helicopters has surpassed two million flight hours in a variety of missions, including search and rescue, oil and gas transportation and VIP transportation in 28 countries.

The S-92 was in service for 12 years when it reached one million flight hours. Just six years later, the fleet operates in 28 countries and its flight hours have doubled.

“The two million flight hours milestone is a testament to the reliability, availability, and cost-effectiveness of the S-92 helicopter in some of the world’s most demanding conditions and no-fail missions,” said Leon Silva, Sikorsky’s interim vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems.

Lockheed Martin explains operators utilizing the S-92 aircraft enjoy a better than 93 per cent availability rate, a best-in-class safety record even in extreme conditions, and a proven record of reliability and adaptability.

Sikorsky has delivered 300 S-92s with about 86 per cent operated in the offshore oil and gas industry for personnel transport. Lockheed Martin states every major oil company relies on S-92s in their fleets.

Fleet aircraft are also in service for civil search and rescue and have completed more than 91,000 search and rescue missions, as well as, commercial airline transport, executive transport, and other priority missions including coastal and border patrol, emergency response, and disaster relief. The S-92 is used by 13 nations for head of state missions, and the aircraft is the baseline for the VH-92A helicopter to be used for the new U.S. presidential helicopter fleet.

“We’re grateful to our customers, our more than 150 suppliers worldwide, and our employees who support our award-winning S-92 program,” Silva added. “They have all contributed to this major milestone and we look forward to continued success.”