STRATFORD, Conn., 16 Feb.2009Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. pilots successfully completed the first flight of the company's new S-76DM helicopter, the latest version of the S-76 helicopter, maneuvering the prototype aircraft through taxi, hover, hover turns, and forward flight to 40 knots in a test flight that lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Sikorsky Chief Test Pilot Greg Barnes and Pilot Mike Hardy conducted the test flight at Sikorsky's Florida facility on 7 Feb. The milestone culminated more than three years of design, development, and testing of the first prototype aircraft, Sikorsky officials say.
Among the S-76D helicopter's features are all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot; dual speed rotor with active vibration control; powerful Pratt & Whitney 210S engines; a quiet mode for enhanced public acceptance; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather capability. The S-76D helicopter also will offer an increase in useful load and extended range performance versus the S-76C+ and S-76C++ aircraft currently fielded.
"The next generation of the S-76 helicopter begins today," says Jason Durno, program manager for Sikorsky. "The S-76D helicopter brings Sikorsky's popular S-76 aircraft to the next level in performance
The S-76D helicopter is scheduled to enter production with certification, and customer deliveries in 2010. Sikorsky already has approximately 100 delivery position agreements on the aircraft.
