Sikorsky Selected for Four S-92A+ Presidential Helicopters for South Korea

Sikorsky has been selected for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Presidential Helicopter II program, which calls for four S-92A+ helicopters, Lockheed Martin said. The company said KAEMS, a Korea Aerospace Industries subsidiary, will complete the helicopters’ mission equipment in South Korea.

Key details

• Lockheed Martin says the contract covers special mission equipment, spare parts and field service representation.
• The Republic of Korea Air Force received three S-92 helicopters in 2007 and has used them for presidential transport, according to Lockheed Martin.
• Lockheed Martin describes the S-92A+ as featuring upgraded engines, a Phase IV main gearbox and increased payload or fuel capacity compared with the S-92.
• Sikorsky says it is increasing S-92A+ production capacity at facilities in Connecticut and New York to as many as 12 aircraft per year.

Sikorsky says it is expanding S-92A+ production capacity to as many as 12 aircraft per year.

Why it matters

The program combines aircraft procurement with mission equipment completion in South Korea and provisions for spare parts and field service representation. The S-92A+ design changes include both powertrain upgrades and increased payload or fuel capacity, according to Lockheed Martin.