Sikorsky pursues more than 80 potential sales for its upgraded S-92A+ heavy-twin helicopter, with forecast documents indicating six aircraft at advanced stages, including four head-of-state units expected this quarter. Another 23 helicopters remain in the sales funnel, and 54 are at earlier stages, including two used models upgraded to A+ standard.
The S-92A+ features a Phase IV main gearbox with enhanced run-dry capability, upgraded GE Aerospace CT7-8A6 engines, and a 544kg increase in maximum takeoff weight to 12,564kg. Production ramps up at the Owego, New York facility, previously handling systems integration, with capacity targeted at 12 aircraft annually. Three of five S-92A+ units under assembly in 2026 are white tails built speculatively alongside two ordered head-of-state transports for a 14th customer country.
Leon Silva, Sikorsky vice president of commercial and advanced programmes, states a production rate of 10-12 per year optimizes efficiency, with baseline configurations adaptable to various roles. Lead times stand at about three years. Deliveries project one each in 2026 and 2027, rising to five in 2029, 15 in 2030, five in 2031, and three in 2032. Offshore-configured models quote at $40-50 million.
Federal Aviation Administration certification for the gearbox is anticipated in 2026 despite test stand delays. Demand spans head-of-state, utility, and offshore energy missions, where no S-92s sit idle. Nine operators cover 155 of 270 active S-92s under Total Assurance Programs into the 2030s.