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Sikorsky, Bristow Sign Long-Term S-92 Support Agreement

Our Bureau - : Apr 25, 2025 - : 7:41 pm

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Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and Bristow Group Inc. have entered into a long-term agreement aimed at providing enhanced aftermarket support for Bristow’s fleet of S-92 helicopters. The agreement extends the longstanding partnership between the two firms and is designed to ensure continued operational readiness across Bristow’s fleet of more than 60 S-92 aircraft, which serve key sectors such as offshore energy and search and rescue (SAR).

Central to the agreement is Sikorsky’s Total Assurance Program (TAP), which offers Bristow predictable maintenance costs and reduces the risk of unexpected expenditures. The arrangement will remain in place well into the next decade.

"We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Bristow, one of the world's leading providers of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry," said Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky. "We are committed to providing exceptional support to our customers and ensuring the continued success of the S-92 helicopter, which has a lifetime availability average of over 90% and many aircraft achieve more than 1,500 flight hours per year on average in the demanding offshore energy industry."

"Bristow is the largest operator of the S-92 globally,” said Stu Stavley, Bristow's Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services. "This long-term support agreement will enable us to maintain our high level of service to our customers, while also controlling our operational costs and improving our overall efficiency."

The TAP package provides Bristow with a Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) arrangement covering both offshore energy and search and rescue operations, along with coverage for over 90% of replacement parts, including the airframe, drivetrain, gearboxes, avionics, and consumables. It also grants access to Sikorsky’s global support infrastructure, comprising forward stocking locations and field service representatives, and includes the use of the Sikorsky360 customer portal for ordering parts, tracking status, accessing services, and reviewing aircraft data.

The agreement underscores Sikorsky’s continued focus on the commercial market and its investment in the S-92 platform, which remains a critical asset for deepwater operations. Recent enhancements to the S-92 include the development of the Phase IV main gearbox, which features an auxiliary lubrication system. This system is designed to automatically activate in the event of a primary oil pressure failure, enabling continued flight. The gearbox has undergone more than 800 hours of testing, with FAA certification expected in 2025.

Sikorsky has also introduced extended inspection intervals and a one-time life extension for certain main gearbox housings. These changes are expected to reduce aircraft downtime by over a year, with life credits of up to 1,200 flight hours or 3,600 ground-air-ground cycles—equivalent to 12 to 18 additional months of operational time for offshore operators, and potentially over 24 months for other users.

Lockheed-martin / Sikorsky / Bristow-group / S-92-helicopter /

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