Sikorsky has been selected to supply four S-92A+ helicopters to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) for South Korea’s Presidential Helicopter II programme. Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service (KAEMS), a Korea Aerospace Industries subsidiary, will install mission equipment in South Korea on three aircraft. The package also includes special mission equipment, spare parts and field-service representation; no contract value or delivery schedule has been disclosed.
The new helicopters will update a presidential-transport fleet that has operated three earlier S-92s since their delivery in 2007. The S-92 is also used by South Korean agencies for search-and-rescue and other lifesaving missions.
Sikorsky describes the S-92A+ as featuring upgraded engines, a Phase IV main gearbox and increased payload or fuel capacity compared with earlier variants. The gearbox’s auxiliary lubrication system is designed to enable safe flight after a loss of primary oil pressure.
The manufacturer is increasing S-92A+ production at its facilities in Stratford, Connecticut, and Owego, New York, with stated capacity of up to 12 aircraft a year. South Korea’s reported programme budget of about 873 billion won covers the broader procurement and is not the value of Sikorsky’s contract.