A new and improved batch of Lockheed Martin helicopters will be manufactured in the Southern Tier.
The S-92A+ helicopters will be produced by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company at the company’s Owego and Stratford, Connecticut locations. In a March 6 press release, the company announced the helicopters will be made for a new head-of-state transport customer, with additional orders expected from offshore-energy customers.
According to the release, the company has the capacity to produce as many as 12 of the aircraft annually, with five planned for construction in the near future.
The S-92A+ aircraft can be used for a variety of purposes, including as transport for heads of state, personnel or cargo, offshore energy purposes or firefighting and military operations. According to the release, an unnamed country has ordered two helicopters, and the company will construct an additional three helicopters as part of the project.
In 2025, Sikorsky delivered two S-92A aircraft to head-of-state customers in Asia and the Middle East. The newer model will seek to improve on the previous model, aiming to set industry standards for “safety, performance and versatility.”
Upgrades to the aircraft include a Phase IV gearbox with a minimum lifecycle of more than 6,000 flight hours as well as additional engine power, which will increase the aircraft’s carry weight and stability in hot and high-altitude environments.
According to Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager Rich Benton, the aircraft will showcase the company’s recent strides and technological advancements.
“The S-92A+ helicopter is another example of how we are modernizing the fleet and transforming for the future, and we are building in surge capacity to meet expected demand,” said Benton. “The S-92 remains the aircraft of choice for Head of State, offshore energy and search and rescue operators who want the highest available flight-time helicopter to perform long-range missions in any weather condition.”
To begin the construction process, artisans at Sikorsky’s Stratford headquarters will produce components like the main gearbox, blades and drivetrains. Once construction is completed, the helicopters will be assembled in Owego.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin to boost helicopter production. Here’s why
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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