Sikorsky Completes VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Preliminary Design Review

Sikorsky has completed the VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

The company also announced Wednesday that it has completed the integration and performance testing of mission communications system (MCS) components, and Sikorsky's acceptance of the second S-92Aaircraft for the program.

On May 7, 2014, the Navy on May awarded a $1.2 billion incentive engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract with production options to Sikorsky for 21 operational and two test aircraft.

Initial fielding is planned for 2020, with production concluding in 2023. Under the contract, Sikorsky will use its in-production S-92aircraft and integrate government-defined mission systems and install an executive interior.

The PDR, completed on Aug. 21, allowed the VH-92A team to demonstrate the preliminary design for the VH-92A aircraft, including integration of the MCS, and the supporting logistics elements. The Completion of this step signals that the program is ready to proceed into detailed design (Critical Design Review).

Engineering Development Model 0 (EDM -0), the first S-92A helicopter for the VH-92A Program, completed MCS testing on Aug. 25 this year.

More than 80 hours of ground and flight testing was conducted over the course of three months in Owego, New York, site of system integrator Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky's principal supplier on the program.

Sikorsky accepted the second S-92A aircraft for the VH-92A program on Sept. 3 when it was flown from Sikorsky's commercial aircraft facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, to the Stratford, Connecticut, location. This aircraft has commenced the early stages of the modification process.

Sikorsky is working with the US Navy on a fleet of VH-92A helicopters to support the presidential world-wide vertical-lift mission. To help ensure an affordable program, Sikorsky is integrating the already-FAA certified S-92A aircraft with a mature MCS and an executive interior.

Eventual production quantities will be determined over the life of the program, based on Department of Defense funding priorities and subject to Congressional approval of funding.