Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft
Pioneering technology
Pioneering Flight
Developing new technology to improve the future of flight drives Sikorsky Aircraft. It
always has, and it always will. Sikorsky Aircraft encourages possibility thinking. We
dream big. We think big. And we get big results.
With exceptional system integration capabilities, Sikorsky can
seamlessly incorporate new technologies into existing as well as
new airframes, continually improving products in ways that benefit
operators. Our S-76D™ and CH-53K helicopters feature leading-edge
technology that will result in fundamental changes in helicopter
flight. At the same time, we also invest in programs that will have
long-term implications for aviation. For example, our plan to build
an aircraft that flies twice as fast with the same hover performance
as today’s helicopters is not just bold — it’s revolutionary. And
that’s just the way we like it.
Sikorsky’s Rotorcraft Center of Excellence is the hub of an
integrated Research and Engineering (R&E) function with
core competencies that include system integration, vehicle
definition, dynamic systems, test and evaluation, and
technology development. Additional R&E centers are supported
by elite engineers distinguished in their fields.
Two elements to Sikorsky’s long-range strategy are:
1) responding to the marketplace’s need for rapid development
and prototyping of new aircraft and systems and 2) increasing
capacity in response to growing demand for its military products.
In support of these objectives Sikorsky launched Sikorsky
HAWKWORKS™ @ Schweizer Aircraft. The creation of Sikorsky
HAWKWORKS™ @ Schweizer Aircraft allows us to take full
advantage of Schweizer’s rapid prototyping capabilities and
allows Sikorsky’s primary production facilities to focus on
production of standard-configuration aircraft.
We will continue to expand the boundaries of flight though
forward thinking, solid engineering and a pioneering spirit.
Safe, intelligent, connect
Sandblaster
SARAP
A Sikorsky-led team is working to solve
one of the military’s most pressing
problems in desert wars: landing and
taking off helicopters safely when
blinding sand obscures the landscape,
creating brownout conditions. The
high-priority DARPA-funded program
will develop and demonstrate solutions
for landing in brownout conditions.
Initial focus will be on BLACK HAWK
helicopters, the lead aircraft for many
of the world’s ground forces.
The Survivable Affordable Repairable
Airframe Program (SARAP) is a
cooperative arrangement with
the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied
Technology Directorate that seeks to
develop a composite airframe that
is lighter weight, takes less labor to
manufacture, reduces non-recurring
expenses and tooling, has lower
overhaul and support costs and, most
importantly, is more survivable.
Making brownouts safer
A better way to build & support
ed
Our broad range of technology programs is aimed at enhancing such critical areas as external
awareness, pilot performance, vehicle awareness, flight efficiencies, and life cycle costs.
HUMS & HFDM
Monitoring performance
HUMS (Health and Usage Monitoring
System) is an advanced diagnostics
system that monitors aircraft operational
data. Through recording and analysis of
this operational trend data, maintenance
needs can be identified and addressed.
This results in increased safety, aircraft
availability, and lower cost of ownership.
HFDM (Helicopter Flight Data
Monitoring) is a ground-station-based
system that is used to play back flight
data to assess how the aircraft is flown
and operated. Flight data is recorded
by the Goodrich HUMS on S-92™
helicopters and by the EXVP HUMS on
S-76® helicopters.
Enhanced
Safety Package
The only successful mission
is a safe mission
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is
committed to equipping all new
commercial aircraft with state-of-theart terrain avoidance warning system
(TAWS), traffic collision avoidance
system (TCAS), cockpit voice recorder
(CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)
devices. This position reflects
Sikorsky’s commitment to safety. As a
further indication of that commitment,
the company is offering these devices
as a retrofit package to all S-76 aircraft
built prior to 2005.
4th Generation
Rotor Blade
Improving on the basics
Ensuring significant improvement
in flight efficiency, Sikorsky has
validated its 4th Generation Rotor
Blade Concept. The work continues a
long chain of rotor blade innovations
and builds on the state-of-the-art
growth rotor blade (GRB™ ). While
development focuses on U.S. Marine
Corps requirements, the advanced
rotor blade concept will be inserted
into other future aircraft.
X2 Technology
X2 Technology™ Highlights
Sikorsky continues to advance
vertical flight technology with the
development of the X2 Technology™
Demonstrator. This exciting, leadingedge advancement includes a number
of state-of-the-art technologies (see
Highlights at right) that enable a new
generation of aircraft to fly at high
speed, but retain all the desirable flying
qualities of a helicopter without any
in-flight configuration transition.
Coaxial composite rigid rotor
blade design
The technology can be scaled to serve
a variety of mission requirements,
including unmanned aerial vehicles,
commercial aircraft, heavy lift and
armed attack and escort aircraft.
Advanced hub drag reduction
Pushing forward
Active Vibration Control (AVC)
Triplex fly-by-wire digital flight
control system with advanced
flight control laws
Seamlessly integrated rotor and
auxiliary propulsion system
Legacy of Success
Igor Sikorsky was a Russian-born scientist, engineer, pilot, and entrepreneur who
made fixed- and rotary-wing aviation history with a unique mix of genius and determination. While in Russia in 1913, Igor designed and flew the world’s first successful
four-engine aircraft, The Grand.
Soon after, the larger Il’ya Muromets began carrying passengers, and
a bomber version appeared in 1914, going to war with the Imperial
Russian Air Force in 1915.
Immigrating to America in 1919, Sikorsky continued his dream of
building aircraft, scavenging parts from surplused World War I
aircraft to construct his own designs. His twin-engine S-37 began
long-range passenger service in the 20’s and his eight-seat S-36
amphibian entered service with Pan American Airways in 1928.
The nine-passenger S-38 was purchased by 10 airlines, and its
success became the launch vehicle for the Sikorsky Manufacturing
Corporation, the predecessor of today’s Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation.
The S-42 Clipper, flown by Pan American Airways across the Pacific
and the North Atlantic, and the long-range 32-passenger VS-44A
ended Sikorsky’s production of flying boats. In 1931, he turned his
interest back to helicopters when he patented a design that is now the
standard throughout the helicopter industry: a single large main rotor
and smaller anti-torque tail rotor. Flying for the first time in 1939, the
VS-300 began the legacy of rotary-winged flight for Sikorsky.
Today Sikorsky Aircraft is continuing the pioneering spirit exemplified
by Igor Sikorsky. We recognize that monumental strides can be accomplished through personal creativity and passion and we strive to
instill in our 13,000 employees the ideal as stated by Igor Sikorsky:
“The work of the individual still remains the spark
which moves mankind ahead.”
We pioneer flight
solutions that
bring people home
everywhere…
every time.
™
6900 Main St., Stratford CT 06615 USA | +1 (800) 946-4337, +1 (203) 386-4282, +1 (607) 739-3821 | www.sikorsky.com | www.sacusa.com
CORP-037
3M June 2007