Tue, Feb 11, 2003
Sikorsky Aircraft has initiated the first elements
of a mucn anticipated S-76 model upgrade, designed to provide even
higher levels of performance and reliability for the company's
flagship commercial aircraft. The improvements are targeted for
delivery in 2005.
The new S-76 aircraft will include Turbomeca Arriel 2S2 engines,
boasting six percent more power than the current Arriel 2S1 engine
and offering a dual channel digital engine control. The 2S2 will
combine improved hot-high performance with a simpler and more
reliable control system. Sikorsky and Turbomeca signed the formal
agreement to develop and certify the Arriel 2S2 for the S-76 in
November 2002.
Additional features for the S-76 model upgrade include the S-76
Quiet Tail Rotor, new proprietary quiet gearbox technology and
rotor de-ice capability, which is derived from the system designed
for the recently-certified Sikorsky S-92. All model upgrade
improvements will retrofit the S-76C+, and some elements will be
available to the S-76B and S-76A versions.
"We constantly identify opportunities to keep the
S-76 the most modern aircraft in its class," said Tommy Thomason,
Vice President-Civil Programs. "The improvements planned for future
S-76 production should also be available to the customers who have
purchased previous versions of the S-76."
While progress is underway on the model upgrade, simultaneous work
is on track to further enhance the state-of-the-art safety,
reliability and maintainability of the existing S-76 fleet.
In 2002, the commitment to S-76 improvement yielded the
following:
- A solid construction servo input rod that reduces
maintenance;
- A new procedure allowing customer replacement of the swashplate
uniball bearing shim;
- Fuzz burn chip detectors for the Arriel 2S1 engines;
- 2,000 hour tail rotor retention plate life increase.
"Operator data directs our S-76 improvements, so we are
confident that the benefit to the customer is real," said Thomason.
The diverse reliability and maintainability improvements being
fielded in 2003 include:
- Field-replaceable main gearbox upper main rotor shaft
seal;
- Improved corrosion resistance of the landing gear;
- "Smart contactor" design to preserve correct electrical system
switching
- New engine vent line that improves Arriel breathing while
reducing leakage and oil consumption;
- Increased life for the tail rotor horn;
- Enhanced Mark XXII EGPWS for better GPS reception, in
conjunction with Honeywell.
Customer feedback through the operator-led Maintenance Review
Steering Group (MRSG) directs Sikorsky's priority list for product
improvements, thereby ensuring continued reliable operation of even
the earliest S-76 versions. The MRSG is composed of customers
representing the spectrum of S-76 applications and worldwide
environments dedicated to tailoring the maintenance requirements as
the fleet matures and expands into new markets and missions.
Operating in 44 countries by 192 operators, more than 530 Sikorsky
S-76 helicopters have accumulated over 3 million flight hours.
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