The South Korean government has selected the Sikorsky S-92A+ to carry its president and other senior government officials. Under an agreement announced Friday, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary will deliver four of the heavy-twin helicopters to the Republic of Korea Air Force under the country’s Presidential Helicopter II program.
The air force has operated three early variants of the S-92 since 2007 for head-of-state transportation, and these will be replaced progressively from 2031. S-92s have also been deployed for search-and-rescue and firefighting missions in partnership with the Korea Coast Guard and National Fire Agency.
The Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service, which is part of Korea Aerospace Industries, will install mission equipment for the S-92A+s. The contract with Sikorsky also includes this equipment, as well as spare parts and field service support.
Compared with the S-92, the S-92A+ features upgraded GE Aerospace CT7-8A6 engines to improve hot-and-high performance, and a new Phase IV main gearbox with an auxiliary lubrication system. Through the gross weight expansion with LifePlus feature, Sikorsky has increased the helicopter’s payload by 1,200 pounds.
To date, 13 countries are using the S-92 for head-of-state transportation. The aircraft is also employed for roles including offshore energy support, VIP transport, and utility missions. The in-service fleet has amassed more than 2.6 million flight hours.
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