Sikorsky: Customers Want More Than 50 S-76D

Sikorsky says it has “confirmed customer positions” for more than 50 of the newest generation of S-76, the D model. If all the positions are converted to delivery contracts, the company said, S-76D sales could exceed $500 million. The S-76D is designed to offe a 1,000-lb.-plus increase in useful load and extended range over the current S-76C+. It features all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades, a dual-speed rotor with active vibration control, a “quiet” tail rotor, an advanced Thales Top Deck avionics system and autopilot, and Pratt & Whitney’s 210S engine. Sikorsky says the S-76D is on track for initial certification in late 2009. For related news