Sikorsky has commenced final assembly of the first production S-76D helicopter at its Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility.
The machine’s fuselage was delivered from Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic on November 19, and all of its electrical and cockpit systems successfully passed acceptance tests. Sikorsky will add the S-76D’s P&WC PW210S engines, rotor blades and gearboxes during final assembly, and will conduct acceptance flight tests and fit customer completions. “We are a ‘go’ for final assembly and completions,” said Tim Fox, Sikorsky’s S-76 senior program manager. “This is a major achievement toward delivery in 2012.”
The S-76D is a development of the S-76C++ and features all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; a Thales integrated avionics system and autopilot; dual rotor speed for quiet mode operation with active vibration control; the P&WC PW210S engines; and an optional rotor ice protection system (RIPS) for all-weather capability.
