Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk

Initially deployed in 2004, the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk is a militarized, multi-mission, medium-sized helicopter that is a successor to the proven Black Hawk and Sea Hawk rotorcraft families. Scrambled and ready to fly in less than two minutes, the H-92 Superhawk is used for tactical troop transfer, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue/combat search and rescue (SAR and CSAR) missions.In less than three hours, the H-92 Superhawk can be loaded with minimal ground equipment onto a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy or Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft.

Optimally sized for maximum troop maneuverability and battlefield flexibility, the spacious H-92 cabin transports 19 troops in its default configuration and is equipped with a 7-foot-wide ramp that accommodates 1,000 pounds. The Superhawk is fitted with a cargo hook certified to 8,000 pounds for external lift operations.For medevac missions, the H-92 can house 6 NATO litter patients and two attendants.

Powered by two General Electric CT7-8A turboshaft engines with an integral particle separator and pneumatic starting system, the H-92 Superhawk can reach speeds of 306 kilometers an hour and cruise at 280 kilometers an hour. The 3,000-horsepower engines generates 25% more power than the CT7-8 engine installed in the Sikorsky S-92. The amplified power stems from a newly-designed, high-pressure turbine and a modernized three-stage, low-pressure turbine. For ground power or in-flight emergency power, Honeywell supplies the 36-150 auxiliary power unit.

Equipped with four multi-functional displays (MFD), dual automatic flight control systems (AFCS), an enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), and a weather radar, the H-92 Superhawk’s cockpit has high survivability and is fitted with Martin-Baker crashworthy seats for the two pilots.

For avionics, Rockwell Collins integrates the cockpit with the EyeHUD helmet-mounted display and Link 11 tactical datalink. BAE Systems supplies the AN/ALQ-144A(V)5 countermeasures system and the fly-by-wire flight control system consisting of sensors to measure the pitch, roll, and yaw of the Superhawk.

In April 2010, prime contractor Sikorsky signed a deal with Lockheed Martin to co-develop a specialized H-92 helicopter for the U.S. Navy’s Marine One program, the official rotorcraft transport of the President of the United States. Under this contract, Sikorsky remains the prime contractor while Lockheed Martin is the major supplier of the H-92’s subsystems.