Sikorsky has announced it delivered the first fully-configured S-76D to the Bristow Group in late 2013. The new helicopter is the first of 26 S-76Ds Bristow has on order for offshore support missions.
The S-76D features new P&WC PW210S engines, the Thales TopDeck integrated avionics system and four-axis autopilot, a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), active vibration control, all-composite main rotor blades, and an optional rotor ice protection system (RIPS).
Initial FAA type certification for the S-76D was granted in October 2012, while certification for offshore oil operations and an expanded baseline certification followed a year later.
