Soaring Together: Sikorsky and Bristow Forge an Innovative Alliance for the S-92 Fleet
Sikorsky, a division of Lockheed Martin, and Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL), the global leader in innovative and eco-friendly vertical flight solutions, have unveiled a long-term agreement aimed at bolstering support for Bristow’s S-92® helicopter fleet.
This agreement reinforces the extensive collaboration between the two organizations, providing enhanced support for Bristow’s fleet of over 60 S-92 aircraft operating in critical markets across the globe, such as offshore energy and search and rescue (SAR). The robust package extending into the next decade includes Sikorsky’s Total Assurance Program (TAP), which provides Bristow with continuous aftermarket support, allowing for effective management of its S-92 fleet within a predictable budget, thereby reducing the chances of unanticipated costs.
“We are thrilled to continue our long-lasting collaboration with Bristow, one of the world’s leading providers of helicopter services for the offshore energy market,” expressed Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky. “We are committed to delivering exceptional support to our partners and ensuring the ongoing success of the S-92 helicopter, which boasts a lifetime availability average exceeding 90% and numerous aircraft that achieve over 1,500 flight hours annually in the challenging offshore energy environment.”
“Bristow stands as the largest global operator of the S-92,” commented Stu Stavley, Bristow’s Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services. “This long-term support agreement will enable us to maintain our high service standards for our clients while effectively managing our operating costs and boosting our overall productivity.”
The TAP package includes the following support features for Bristow’s global fleet:
- Power-by-the-Hour (PBH) arrangements for offshore energy services and search and rescue helicopters;
- Coverage for more than 90% of replacement expenses for components such as airframe, drivetrain, gearboxes, avionics, and consumable parts;
- Enhanced worldwide fleet support through access to Sikorsky’s vast network of forward stocking locations (FSL) and field service representatives (FSR); and
- Access to the Sikorsky360 customer portal, facilitating Bristow to place orders, track parts status, access services and financial information, and review aircraft metrics.
This agreement underscores Sikorsky’s continued commitment to the commercial sector and investment in the S-92 platform, which is exceptionally designed to cater to the increasing demands of deepwater operations. Sikorsky has recently launched the S-92 Phase IV main gearbox with an auxiliary lubrication system that automatically activates during primary oil pressure loss, removing the requirement for immediate landing and allowing operators to reach their destination safely. This pioneering solution has been validated through over 800 hours of comprehensive testing, with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification anticipated in 2025.
Sikorsky has also lengthened scheduled inspection intervals for the S-92 helicopter and offers a one-time lifespan extension for specific main gearbox housings. These enhancements eliminate more than a full year of downtime associated with inspections, allowing operators to safely keep their aircraft in service longer, thereby generating revenue. The accrued life credit can attain up to 1,200 hours / 3,600 ground-air-ground cycles, translating to an additional 12 to 18 months for the average S-92 offshore oil operator and over 24 months for others.
